Downtown fire kills dogs, injures firefighter o Sunday afternoon in Merritt

Fire officials are continuing their investigation into a blaze that destroyed a residence in the 600 block area of Granite Ave. on Sunday afternoon.

Merritt Fire Chief Dave Tomkinson told Q101 news that front line members were called to the structure fire at around 4 p.m.

All of the occupants safely escaped the two-story home, however several dogs perished in the fire. Tomkinson added that the blaze “completely gutted the structure”, rendering it uninhabitable.

A total of 23 firefighters battled the fire, with one firefighter sustaining minor injuries and was transported to Royal Inland Hospital then released.

Chief Tomkinson noted that thanks to the quick action of Merritt Fire Rescue, the adjacent properties sustained no damage.

Fire crews stayed on the scene until 9 p.m. Sunday.