Investigation into devastating Lytton fire continues on 2-year anniversary

Friday marks the second anniversary of the devastating wildfire that razed much of B.C.’s Village of Lytton and neighbouring First Nations communities.

In a statement, the BC RCMP says it is still continuing to investigate the fire that killed two people.

Police say the investigation remains “active” and it is continuing to assess for “possible criminality,” however, there is no timeline for when the investigation may be completed.

“Will continue to take the time needed to ensure that all avenues of investigation have been covered off,” Senior Sgt. Kris Clark said.

The RCMP’s update comes as civil lawsuits against Canada’s two national railways, along with the federal government and Transport Canada, are being pursued by Lytton community members and the village itself.

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The Village Lytton and the Thompson-Nicola Regional District are suing Canada’s two national railways and Transport Canada, alleging they were negligent to let trains pass through the town during the deadly 2021 heat dome, before the community was razed by wildfire.

The notice of claim says a train passed through the village 18 minutes before the first report of a fire near the tracks that eventually destroyed 90 per cent of the town’s buildings and scorched an additional 837 square kilometres of land.

In the claim filed in B.C. Supreme Court on June 16, lawyers allege Canadian National and Canadian Pacific railways continued to operate in late June 2021, despite record-setting heat and extreme wildfire danger.

The claim says the railways failed to ensure the train’s braking and other systems were safe, that they didn’t use reasonable fire prevention methods, and failed to watch for smoke or fire along the tracks.

It seeks general and special damages and costs related to everything from the emergency response to the investigation of the fire’s cause and the rebuilding of the village.

None of the allegations have been proven in court and CN, CP, and Transport Canada have not filed a response to the claim.

Previously in February of this year, two Lytton residents who lost their homes in the deadly fire were also pursuing a class action lawsuit against CN and CP Rail, the federal government, and other businesses for damages from the fire.

Related Articles:

• State of emergency to be lifted in Lytton, B.C., two years after fire destroyed town

• Former Lytton residents hope to advance class action lawsuit over 2021 wildfire

• ‘Unimaginable’: Lytton residents pull together again amid fire near community

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Christopher O’Connor and Jordan Spinks launched the lawsuit in October 2021, alleging that the railways, the federal government, and several businesses related to railway operations were negligent for continuing to run trains despite record-setting heat in Lytton shortly before the fire broke out.

Those claims were made before a Transportation Safety Board investigation in October 2021 found “no evidence” that railway operations contributed to the fire.

In a joint statement, B.C. Premier David Eby and Emergency Management Minister Bowinn Ma say they share the “sadness of everyone who has been affected by this tragic event.”

“Throughout this challenging journey of recovery, we have witnessed the resilience of the communities. Working closely with the leadership of the Village of Lytton, the Province has supported the completion of debris removal, environmental remediation, and associated archeology requirements, including the protection of Nlaka’pamux heritage resources, bringing the community to a state that is safe and ready for rebuilding. The Village of Lytton is now accepting building permits.

“We want to join with the Nlaka’pamux communities, the Nlaka’pamux Nation Tribal Council, and the Village of Lytton in marking this anniversary. The Village of Lytton is transitioning from recovery to rebuilding and has lifted the state of local emergency. Hydro, water, and sewage water infrastructure are being repaired and the boil-water advisory has been lifted. The village has established an office within the community and local events are resuming. We know that people are eager to return to their community and there is much to be hopeful about.

“This has been a long and challenging process, and there’s still work to be done. Affected people and families remain at various stages of returning home, and while the RCMP investigation continues, we remain committed to working diligently until everyone sees the pathway to returning home,” the province said.

The BC RCMP says as the investigation continues, remains mindful of other finalized investigations that focussed on determining the cause of the fire, its origin, and looking at compliance and “regulatory impacts.”

“We appreciate the continued understanding and patience of the public as the investigation progresses,” Mounties said.

Police are now reminding anyone who may have information about the fire and has not yet spoken to police to come forward and call the Southeast District RCMP Tip/Information line at 250-470-6222.

–With files from Cole Schisler