Fire fighters were called to the scene at 1:20 a.m. Sunday to find the former K Mountain Winery fruit stand fully engulfed.
“We believe it started in the east end of the building,” said Keremeos Chief Jordy Boscha.
“It proved to be very difficult to fight, because the tin roof had collapsed, making it difficult to get at the fire underneath.”
Firefighters spent roughly five and a half hours on scene, bringing in an excavator just prior to dawn to knock down the walls in order to expose areas of the building that were still burnng, but difficult to access.
The building housing the K Mountain Winery and Fruit Stand, for years prior known as Jerry’s Fruit Stand, has been part of the community for several decades. Over the years it has been renovated and added on to many times.
The Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department was also asked to provide mutual aid. Four firefighters and a pumper responded from the Kaleden department, alongside the eleven members of the KVFD in attendance.
The property, recently in receivership is believed to have new owners, who had recently made renovations towards the prospect of a Victoria Day long weekend opening.
No one was hurt in the blaze.