Update:
Several businesses had to be evacuated after a fire in downtown Vernon.
Deputy fire chief Scott Hemstad says crews were called to the 29-hundred block of 30th Avenue just before noon, and found some boxes and other items on fire in an alley, at the rear of a building.
“The crew made a quick hit with water and very quickly knocked it down. They made entry into some of the rear areas of the structure and extinguished all the flames before it spread to the main structure,” Hemstad tells CJIB News.
Hemstad says staff at five businesses were evacuated as a precaution, with no injuries despite smoke entering two of the buildings.
The cause is under investigation, with no indication yet if it’s suspicious.
“I can’t say at this point. We’re really at the early stages (of the investigation).”
Hemstad says some boxes with contents in them, as well as some shelving caught fire.
He says there was also damage to some gas meters and electrical wiring at the back of the building.
Vernon fire crews were called to a structure fire in the downtown just before noon.
It was in the 29-hundred block of 30th Avenue, which is believed to be Eclectables, a used book and record store.
Dispatch reports say smoke was visible when crews arrived but the fire has now been knocked down.
No other details are available at this point.
