The fire in a two-storey older house on Konkin Road broke out around 4:30 p.m., according to Crescent Valley fire chief Glenn Leidloff. The building was "pretty much starting to get fully engulfed" when crews arrived, he said.

 

Firefighters from Tarrys, Beasley, and Passmore also helped out and remained on scene until 11 p.m. A fire watch remained until Saturday morning.

 

The homeowner and lone occupant, whom Leidloff guessed was in his 40s, was taken to Trail hospital suffering from possible burns and smoke inhalation and has reportedly since been transferred to Vancouver.

 

Leidloff said the house remains partly standing but is not salvageable. Investigators haven't been able to determine how the fire started.

 

No other buildings were in danger, as the closest neighbours were a fair distance away, however the road was closed while firefighters tackled the blaze.

 

"We really do appreciate the neighbours' patience with us having to block the road," Leidloff said. "One lady in a walker had to wait a while for us to clear the scene. Neighbours gave us soup and bread, which was very kind of them."

 

Leidloff didn't know if the home had a working smoke alarm.