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Temporary accommodations found for motel residents

A fire at a Penticton motel displaced about 30 people
web1_170701-PWN-hotelfireUpdate
Fire Chief Larry Watkinson addresses 15 of the about 30 displaced residents after the June 30 fire at the Highlands Motel. Photo courtesy Peter Weeber

A fire at the Highland Motel Friday displaced about 30 long-term residents of the building.

City manager Peter Weeber said most of the displaced have been relocated to temporary reception facility at the Penticton Community Centre.

In addition, the Provincial Emergency Program approved an extension of the usual 72 hours of Emergency Social Services support to 96 hours because of the long weekend and a lack of available hotel rooms in the city.

Over the next four days, Emergency Social Services and city staff will be providing food, security, and temporary housing until longer term housing can be found. The Red Cross, Salvation Army and Social Services have also been asked to assist in the next steps to recovery.

The Highland Motel was sold recently, and the residents were served eviction notices in preparation for redeveloping the land.