The volunteer firefighter who was killed in a fire in B.C.'s Okanagan Thursday has been described as a hardworking newlywed who kept two jobs.
Dan Botkin, 29, died and another firefighter was injured while battling a blaze at a log home business in Enderby, a small town located about 35 kilometres north of Vernon.
The deceased's grandfather, who lives right next to the fire scene, spoke to Botkin just minutes before his death as the firefighter collected himself.
"He was sitting on the back of the fire truck, choking up like that trying to get his breath," Dennis Botkin said. "Then within 20 minutes he said, ‘I've got to go again.'"
Enderby Mayor Howie Cyr said Botkin had been with the volunteer fire team for several years and was "one of many valued firefighters in our department."
The fire broke out at Sperlich Log Construction at around 4 a.m. Thursday. Gord Molendyk of the Vernon RCMP said it appeared to be under control about an hour later when a "significant explosion" suddenly occurred at a shed at the site.
"Our officers were about to leave the area because the fire was pretty well-contained," Molendyk told CTV News.
Witnesses say the blast was heard across town in north Enderby. Botkin died at the scene and another firefighter was treated for undisclosed but non-life threatening injuries.
Molendyk said the loss of a local volunteer will be felt across the small Shushwap town.
"These are people of the community who give their time to go out and fight fires when they take place," he said. "This is going to affect the community as a whole."
The injured firefighter's name has not been confirmed.
The cause of the explosion is being investigated by the BC Coroners Service, WorkSafe BC and the Fire Commissioner's Office.
Do you have pictures or video of the Enderby fire to share with CTV News? Email bcassign@ctv.ca
