Cherry Creek brush fire destroys shop, damages home

Jul 6, 2017 | 9:51 AM

KAMLOOPS — A brush fire that began with a car crash near Cherry Creek yesterday afternoon has destroyed a contractor’s shop and several other outbuildings.

The fire began just after 3:30 p.m., when a vehicle crashed off of the Trans Canada Highway near Cherry Road.

It quickly spread toward a rural property, before BC Wildfire Service crews were able to get it under control.

Fire Information Officer Max Birkner says, as of this morning, the blaze is estimated at 15 hectares.

“We got crews on here very quickly yesterday and now the fire is being held,” said Birkner. 

“We are looking this morning at a smoldering ground fire, minimal fire activity, but we do have 13 firefighters out here this morning who are continuing to look for hot spots and patrol around and ensure that everything is going to be properly out.”

Birkner says the home on the rural property was saved with some damage, but outbuildings did not fare as well.

“Essentially, a lot of the siding melted off, and of course there was smoke damage and other damage to the house. As well, there has been an outbuilding that was completely destroyed, and there was a vehicle at the property that was also partially destroyed.”

“This is an example of how quickly fire can spread,” added Birkner. “Like most fires, it starts small in one place and within a few minutes to an hour, or in a very small time frame, it can grow very large.”