Cause of barn blaze remains unknown

VERNON – What caused a Vernon barn to go up in flames remains a mystery.

Police and the Vernon Fire Department continue to investigate the cause of last Thursday’s blaze on the outskirts of Vernon at a property in the 1100 block of Pottery Road.

Deputy fire chief Jack Blair says investigators have combed through the rubble and are now waiting for a visit from the electrical inspector.

“We’re hoping to get them out for an opinion on the power sources out there,” Blair says.

The barn and hay bales inside it, as well as a garage, several vehicles, tools and a travel trailer were lost in the fire. A woman staying in the trailer managed to escape uninjured with her dogs.

The air in the neighbourhood was hazy for hours after the 4:30 a.m. fire broke out and neighbours found bits of ash on their cars and yards.

Investigators have not said whether the fire is considered suspicious. There have been over 20 suspected arsons in the city over the last few months, including the Kin Race Track grandstands. Most of those suspicious fires were set around 11 p.m.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infotelnews.ca or call 250-309-5230. To contact the editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.