Fire breaks out at historic Vernon church as crews from across North Okanagan respond

Firefighters are battling a blaze at Vernon Alliance Church in British Columbia, after reports of heavy smoke pouring from the building on Monday evening.

Vernon Fire Rescue Services responded to the church in the 2600 block of 43rd Avenue shortly after 5:00 PM on August 31 following multiple calls about the fire.

Teh blaze was reported at the front of the church, with heavy smoke seen billowing from the roof as firefighters arrived at the scene.

Fire departments from across the North Okanagan have also been called in under mutual aid agreements to help Vernon crews battle the blaze.

Authorities have closed 43rd Avenue between 25th and 27th streets while emergency crews respond to the fire.

There was no immediate information about injuries, whether anyone was inside the church when the fire began or the extent of the damage.

The cause of the fire was also not immediately known.

Vernon Alliance Church has served the community for more than seven decades. According to its history, the congregation began on May 17, 1953, when 18 people gathered for a meeting in the living room of a local home.