Couple escapes Athalmer RV fire Friday

Columbia Valley Rural Fire and Rescue Services say no injuries were reported following a recreational vehicle fire in Athalmer Friday morning.

Deputy fire chief Jon Tames says the RV home and adjoining outbuilding are a total loss, the structure fire was fully involved when firefighters arrived around 7:00 a.m.

A statement from the fire service couple were able to escape the fire thanks in large part to their dogs.

The cause of the blaze is under investigation, but it is not deemed to be suspicious.

See more information from the Regional District of East Kootenay below:

A couple in Athalmer is lucky to have escaped a structure fire this morning along Athalmer Road, thanks in large part to their dogs.

“We responded to a fully involved structure fire in a recreational vehicle home just after 7am. Upon arrival, we learned the couple’s dogs woke them up alerting them to the fire and they were all able to escape safely,” says Columbia Valley Rural Fire and Rescue Service Deputy Chief Jon Tames. “Sadly, their RV home is a total loss, as is an adjoining outbuilding.  I want to acknowledge the excellent work of our firefighters in containing the flames to this isolated area as there are several nearby structures and businesses that could have also been seriously impacted had the fire grown.”

8 members of the Windermere Fire Department responded to the call, with 2 pieces of apparatus. BC Ambulance and RCMP were also dispatched.  There were no injuries as a result of the fire and the couple has been offered support services through the BC Ambulance Service.

The fire has been fully extinguished and firefighters are now off site.  The cause remains under investigation, but is not deemed to be suspicious in nature at this time.

– Article includes statement and image from Regional District of East Kootenay