World · North America · 1 hr ago
Roof work sparks fire at UBC Okanagan building in Kelowna
A fire broke out at UBC Okanagan’s Creative and Critical Studies building in Kelowna on Oct.
29.
Fire officials said preliminary findings point to roof work igniting insulation behind the building’s cladding.
The building was evacuated, and firefighters contained the blaze; no students or firefighters were injured.
The university cancelled classes and exams in the building for the rest of the day, and instructors are to share alternative arrangements.
Smoke and water caused damage, and a fire department captain said the building may be unusable for a month or two because of smoke damage.
The fire department said structural damage was limited, but the building’s return to use could take weeks.
A fire at the Creative and Critical Studies building at UBC Okanagan in Kelowna was contained on Oct. 29.
The fire started at about 12:30 p.m. and was linked to roof work, according to preliminary findings reported by the Kelowna Fire Department.
The building was evacuated, and no students or firefighters were injured.
Fire crews used 30 firefighters, five engines and two ladder trucks to tackle the blaze.
Classes and exams in the building were cancelled for the rest of the day.
- Who
- The Kelowna Fire Department responded to the fire at UBC Okanagan.
- What
- A fire broke out at the Creative and Critical Studies building. No injuries were reported.
- When
- Oct. 29, 2026, at about 12:30 p.m.
- Where
- The University of British Columbia Okanagan campus in Kelowna, B.C.
- Why
- Preliminary investigations suggested construction work on the roof started the fire.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Flames and smoke were seen coming from the roof of the Creative and Critical Studies building.
The building was evacuated as firefighters responded to the blaze.
The fire was contained, and classes and exams in the building were cancelled for the rest of the day.
- Location
- Creative and Critical Studies building, UBC Okanagan, Kelowna
- Firefighters
- 30
- Fire engines
- 5
- Ladder trucks
- 2
- Start time
- About 12:30 p.m. on Oct. 29, 2026
- Cause
- Roof work, according to preliminary investigations
3 sources
What people are saying
Behind the cladding is an insulated foam packaging, and it caught fire. It ran up the inside of the cladding which got into the structure, and that’s how the fire started,
a good month or two
Posts on X
There is less smoke now the #Kelowna Fire Department is now using a ladder truck. They have at least seven fire trucks on scene