Fire at Kelowna supportive housing complex raises concerns among nearby businesses

A fire erupted at Kelowna’s Hearthstone Supportive Housing complex on Monday morning, causing significant damage and compelling the evacuation of all 46 units. Deputy Fire Chief Larry Watkinson of the Kelowna Fire Department reported that the fire was discovered on the second floor, where one occupant required rescue due to smoke inhalation.

The facility, managed by the John Howard Society of Okanagan, suffered both water and smoke damage, displacing several residents temporarily. The origin of the blaze remains undetermined.

In the wake of the incident, nearby businesses have expressed growing concerns over escalating issues within the area. Shawn Kopf, who oversees MasterGlass AutoGlass adjacent to Hearthstone, highlighted a noticeable decline in the neighborhood’s safety. He frequently observes drug use in plain sight, including drug use in front of the John Howard Society building and other nearby establishments.

Kopf described the scene as disturbing, with 30-40 individuals often observed in a dazed state, taking naps in bushes. He remarked, “The environment is deteriorating, and it’s alarming.”

Kopf is not alone in his apprehension. Business owners and residents in a commercial building situated on the opposite side of Hearthstone have also voiced their unease. Surveillance footage from last week captured an individual damaging plants outside the commercial property, while several weeks prior, a door handle to an office was surreptitiously linked with plastic bags, impeding employee access and leading to a vehicle break-in.

Gerald Goertsen, a tenant at the commercial building, expressed his frustration in September, stating that the area has become unsafe and that immediate action is necessary. Despite these concerns, the John Howard Society of Okanagan and Kootenay Society have yet to provide a response to inquiries.