Osoyoos firefighters kept hopping with house fire, vehicle crash

OSOYOOS – Osoyoos firefighters battled a blaze and responded to a two vehicle collision this morning.

Fire chief Rick Jones says the department answered a call to a house fire on 70 Avenue around 6:20 a.m., Jan. 17.

He says firefighters were able to get the upper hand on the blaze quickly, minimizing damage to the structure.

“The fire started in the basement, at or near the furnace,” Jones says. He says the extent of damage won’t be known until later this afternoon when crews return to the scene for a recheck and further investigation.

Jones says six people, two cats and a dog were all able to make it out of the house safely.

Cold weather didn’t help the effort, Jones says, as firefighters contended with slippery conditions caused by ice.

While at the blaze, the department received a dispatch call around 8 a.m. for a two vehicle collision north of Osoyoos.

Jones says several members on the fire scene were able to respond to the collision, which sent two people to hospital. The extent of their injuries are unknown.

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