By Times Chronicle Staff
Oliver residents may have spotted a dense plumb of white smoke on Sunday morning which the Oliver Fire Department (OFD) says resulted from a fire at a homeless encampment on the Okanagan River Channel.
At 10:56 a.m. on December 1, the OFD said it responded to a report of a fire at a homeless encampment located on the west side of the International Hike & Bike Trail off Sawmill Road and Walnut Place.
The OFD received multiple reports of propane tank explosions.
OFD photo
“Crews arrived to find the encampment fully involved with multiple reports of propane tank explosions. Crews were able to knock the fire down and work on extinguishment,” the OFD said.
During mop up multiple propane tanks exhibiting various degrees of damage were removed. No injuries were reported.
OFD photo
The OFD said the cause has been determined to have been a heat source that ignited materials within the area.
Due to the proximity to the river’s edge and the amount of debris left behind, the OFD alerted the Ministry of Environment.
OFD photo
