UPDATE: 1 p.m.
The Kelowna Serious Crimes Unit has taken over the investigation of an incident involving dozens of police, the fire department and the Emergency Response Team that took over Adams Road on Wednesday, March 27.
Police were first spotted on scene near businesses at 135 Adams Rd at approximately 2 p.m.
The Kelowna RCMP determined that the incident posed a threat to the public and secured the area surrounding the 100 block of Adams Rd.
Highway 97 and Adams Road were closed for several hours and employees at nearby businesses were evacuated or told to shelter in place.
“At the time, there was concern for public safety,” said Cpl. Michael Gauthier of the Kelowna RCMP.
The Emergency Response Team was also called to attend to the unfolding incident and responded with two armoured vehicles, officers outfitted in tactical gear and rifles, the canine unit and a drone.
At approximately 3:30 p.m., smoke was seen and smelt coming from the building at 135 Adams Rd. The fire department responded to what police have confirmed to have been a structure fire.
The incident was considered ‘over’ around 6:30 p.m. and the highway was reopened shortly after.
Cpl. Gauthier told Capital News that at this time the police will not be releasing any details of the incident.
The RCMP is still in the process of interviewing witnesses. Gauthier explained that releasing information before the interviews are complete could taint witnesses’ recollections of the incident.
Currently, the Serious Crimes Unit is conducting investigations from the “outside in,” as they wait for search warrants and approval from the fire department that it is safe to enter the building.
Gauthier said the building may have been damaged in the fire resulting in structural damage or potential toxic fumes.
There is no concern for public safety.
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UPDATE 12:45 p.m.
Mirror Image Customs at 135 Adams Road is closed for the foreseeable future, after a police situation unfolded in the same area as the business.
A staff member told Black Press that employees were told to stay inside the business while RCMP dealt with a “serious incident” on the property, on Wednesday. They were evacuated by police shortly after a fire started inside another unit of the building.
At this time, Mirror Image remains closed with no indication of when employees can return. The staff member was unsure of the damage caused by the fire and smoke.
The business was not involved in the incident.
ORIGINAL:
Kelowna RCMP are still on scene of 135 Adams Road.
A police incident shut down Adams Road and Highway 97 between Sexsmith and Edwards for about five hours on March 27.
An employee at a neighbouring business said the workers were told to stay inside, but they were not evacuated.
Businesses in the area are open today. The parking lot at 135 Adams Road is still taped off.
READ MORE: ‘Serious incident’ involving building fire ends: Kelowna RCMP update