Merritt Fire Rescue Department crews responded to a fire in Collettville shortly after midnight on Wednesday.
Fire crews were called out to attend the fire which occurred near the intersection of Walnut and Pine at 12:42 a.m. and remained until 4:10 a.m. extinguishing the flames.
According to Merritt Fire Chief David Tomkinson the fire began as a shed fire and spread to two separate residences – the home on the same property and a neighbouring property.
Passers-by noticed the flames and alerted the fire department. By the time firefighters arrived the shed was fully engulfed and flames had reached both properties, said Tomkinson. Residents had evacuated their homes.
“The neighbours were referred to emergency social services,” said Tomkinson. “They couldn’t stay in their home because of smoke damage to the building.”
Fourteen firefighters attended the fire and worked to clear the scene though the incident is still under investigation. Tomkinson explained that crews will interview bystanders and residents as well as work to reconstruct the fire scene to determine which area the fire originated from.
Anyone is with information is asked to contact the MFRD or the Merritt RCMP detachment.
