A fire broke out at the Vernon Alliance Church on 43rd Avenue shortly before 5:30 p.m. on Monday, August 31. While the fire caused significant damage to the building’s office and front hallway areas, no injuries were reported. The church’s custodians were the only people in the building at the time and were able to exit safely.
Four fire rescue services—Vernon, BX-Swan Lake, Armstrong-Spallumcheen, and Coldstream—responded to the scene to prevent the fire from spreading further. As of September 2, inspections are ongoing, and the official cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
Lead pastor Jason Koleba addressed the congregation and the community via social media, expressing a commitment to the church’s mission despite the loss of the physical facility. He noted that the church has served as a vital community hub for weddings, funerals, and youth activities.