Oliver fruit stand destroyed in afternoon blaze

A fruit stand on Highway 97 in the South Okanagan was destroyed by fire this afternoon.

The Oliver Fire Department was called to the fire at the Saran Fruit Market on Highway 97 near Road 19 just before 1 p.m. today, Nov. 24, fire chief Rob Graham says.

“While en route, we were informed the building’s roof was ablaze,” Graham says.

Firefighters arrived to find the market, located at 4181 Highway 97, fully involved.

High winds hampered firefighting efforts.

Graham says firefighters were on scene for around two and a half hours.

The fire disrupted traffic on Highway 97. The route has since reopened.

No injuries were reported.

Graham says he believes the fruit stand was closed for the season. The building's owners were at home in a residence also on the property.

An investigation into the cause of the blaze is underway.

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