Suspicious fires in West Kelowna leave residents shaken as RCMP investigate

Residents in West Kelowna, British Columbia, are experiencing heightened anxiety after a series of suspicious fires erupted over the weekend, with one blaze coming within meters of a family's home.

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It’s terrifying. I’m still feeling quite scared.

Four fires were reported within a four-hour period and a two-kilometer radius in the area of Old Okanagan Highway and Shannon Lake Road early Saturday morning. The fires targeted picnic tables, gazebos, and garbage bins. Fire officials believe the incidents are connected and are treating them as suspicious, prompting an RCMP investigation.

Josh Sidhe, a resident, described the experience as "terrifying." He recounted waking to the sound of crackling and seeing a "pillar of fire" near his home, initially fearing his house was ablaze. He and his partner used a garden hose to contain the flames before fire crews arrived.

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There is a pillar of fire, so I’m panicking.

West Kelowna's fire chief, Jason Brolund, expressed concern about the timing of the fires, occurring during the peak of wildfire season. "Now is an incredibly dangerous time during wildfire season," Brolund stated. "The time of year we're in, fires have the opportunity to spread quickly and grow fast."

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It’s still a shock that we didn’t lose everything because it could have happened so fast.

Three of the four fires occurred at Kinsmen Park. Fire crews responded to a garbage bin fire shortly after midnight, followed by incidents involving a portable toilet and a picnic table in a gazebo. While it is too early to confirm arson, Brolund urged the community to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity to 911. Residents like Sidhe hope for a swift resolution to alleviate the fear, especially during a period already marked by wildfire concerns.

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Now is an incredibly dangerous time during wildfire season. The time of year we’re in, fires have the opportunity to spread quickly and grow fast.