A major fire at a long-term care home construction site in Penticton, British Columbia, has left several residents displaced as authorities continue to manage safety risks caused by a damaged construction crane.

The blaze broke out late Wednesday at the future Skaha Seniors Village development on Green Avenue near Highway 97 and destroyed much of the structure under construction.

The intensity of the fire forced the evacuation of 16 nearby homes as embers spread through the neighbourhood and concerns emerged that the crane, weakened by the fire, could collapse.In response to the ongoing danger, the City of Penticton declared a local state of emergency and activated its Emergency Operations Centre.While residents of six homes have since been allowed to return, evacuation orders remain in effect for 10 properties.

Officials reported that four homes suffered damage from the fire, while six others remain at risk because they are located within the potential collapse zone of the crane.City officials say the removal of the compromised crane is the highest priority before residents can safely return.Engineers and emergency personnel are developing plans to dismantle it, with work expected to proceed sometime the following week.Emergency Support Services are assisting affected residents during the displacement.

Despite the setback, Kaigo Seniors Living, the developer and future operator of the 200-bed facility, has confirmed its intention to rebuild the project.Company representatives indicated that construction had been running ahead of schedule before the fire, which may help limit delays.The expected completion date may shift from early 2028 to later in 2028.The cause of the fire remains unknown.

Investigators have not yet been able to enter the site because of safety concerns related to the crane, but security footage is being reviewed in cooperation with the RCMP as part of the ongoing investigation.