By Nowell Berg and Carrie Schafer

e-KNOW

Early this morning, fire started at 4859 Aspen Road in Wasa and quickly spread to the home next door (4855).

Neighbours reported seeing “black smoke” just before 7 a.m. followed by several explosions.

All occupants of both homes were evacuated safety and no injuries were reported by paramedics, though Kimberley RCMP report one occupant may have suffered from smoke inhalation.

Larry Gould, owner of Mardis Forest Products, dispatched his fire crew to Wasa with a pumper truck. This greatly helped contain the fire and stop it from spreading further.

A shed was also razed and a propane tank safety valve popped and it burned out.

“There is no fire protection service in Wasa but BC Wildfire was notified and attended in the event it spread into the forest,” Newel noted.

Wasa does not have any fire protection as the Regional District of East Kootenay deems the area not suitable for a volunteer fire department due to an aging population and high non-resident ownership.

The cause of the fire is not known, Sgt. Newel said, adding, “there will be further follow up once the scene can be safely examined.”

Lead image: Neighbours help keep flames from spreading following this morning’s two house fire in Wasa. Carrie Schafer/e-KNOW photo

Images in video presentation by Carrie Schafer and Nowell Berg/e-KNOW and Sgt. Chris Newel, Kimberley RCMP.

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