UPDATE: Kelowna house fire ruled suspicious

KELOWNA – A Kelowna house fire on Dec. 19 started in the box of a pick-up truck parked in the carport and spread to the house, RCMP confirmed today.

The house was severely damaged by fire last night but the lone occupant managed to escape uninjured.

Kelowna Fire Department responded to several 911 calls at about 8:30 p.m. yesterday, Dec. 19, rushing to the house fire in the 800 block of Royal Avenue near Richter Street.

When crews arrived they found the single story residence with fire coming from the carport, eaves and soffit areas, according to a news release. Crews attacked the fire from the exterior and then the interior.

The resident is getting help from Emergency Support Services.

The Kelowna Fire Department responded with four engines, a rescue unit and a command unit along with B.C. Ambulance Service and RCMP.

Police ask that anyone with information contact the Kelowna RCMP at 250-762-3300 or via Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

— This story was updated Dec. 20, 2018 at 2:50 p.m. to add information about the fire being suspicious and RCMP contact information.

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