Review
THE www.keremeosreview.com PM Agreement #40012521
Vol.16 Number 6
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Serving the communities of Keremeos, Cawston, Okanagan Falls and Kaleden
$1.15 including GST
WINTER ACTIVITY
Colder temperatures brought clearing skies at Yellow Lake See page 3
FIGHT YOUR WAY TO FITNESS
Keremeos and District Volunteer Fire Department Chief Jordy Bosscha and Geoff Berg, owner of Berg’s Ox Yoke Collectables, survey the aftermath of the Monday morning fire that destroyed the building adjacent Berg’s. He had high praise for the actions of Keremeos firefighters in containing the spread of the fire.
Coach Rob wants to help Keremeos residents get fit See page 10
CAWSTON PRIMARY EXPERIENCES TORCH RUN
Students get ready for the Olympics with their own ceremony See page 10
Keremeos volunteers fight back to back fires Village “goes to blazes” with two weekend fires By Steve Arstad news@keremeosreview.com Keremeos and District Volunteer Fire Department responded to a fire that broke out in a building containing a pet groomers, with living quarters in the rear, in Keremeos at apprxomately 1:30 a.m. Monday, February 3. The building, located on Seventh Avenue, was destroyed in the blaze. Sixteen firefighters battled through a chilly, windy night to save adja-
cent buildings. Seventh Avenue was turned into a skating rink in front of the business, located between the Keremeos BC Liquor store and Berg’s Ox Yoke Collectables shop. “It was a good save,” said a thankful Geoff Berg, owner of the collectable store adjacent to the fire. “The firefighters were in and out of here all night, making sure the wall stayed cool.” Berg’s business is intact, save for some minor smoke damage. The Paw Spa, a main street business that only opened its doors in November last year, was totally destroyed in the fire. “I lost everything,” said Jen-
nifer Montgomery, owner of the Paw Spa, as she surveyed the pile of rubble that used to house her business early Monday morning. Montgomery figures she lost $10,000 worth of equipment in the fire. “I was just starting out, trying to get going,” she said, “and I hadn’t yet purchased insurance.” Montgomery is looking at other locations on Seventh Avenue to relocate in. In the meantime, she plans to operate out of her home. Berg spent much of Monday venting smoke from his business continued on page 3