Report on investigation of cause of Lytton wildfire will bring closure to some: MLA

LYTTON (NEWS 1130) — As people who fled their homes and lost everything await the findings of an investigation into the cause of the Lytton wildfire, the local MLA says those who have been displaced for more than 100 days are just desperate to see their community rebuilt.

On Thursday, the Transportation Safety Board will release the results of its investigation into the possibility that a freight train sparked the fire that tore through the village on June 30 leaving few building standing, and two residents dead.

Fraser-Nicola MLA Jackie Tegart says the findings may bring closure to some, while for others it might allow them to start the grieving process.

“It is really important information, but I think that people need to be respectful to the people of Lytton as they listen for the information that will come out of the report,” she says.

“I trust that there has been a good thorough investigation, and we’ll deal with what the results are once they’re announced tomorrow. There’s been lots of speculation in the community in regards to what possibilities there were that started the fire, but I think it’s important that we wait until we see the report and we analyze what’s in that report, and what the next steps forward are.”

We're set to find out whether a train sparked the fire that destroyed Lytton in June (as some have speculated). @TSBCanada will "share the result of its investigation of a possible relation b/w train activities" and the fire, tomorrow. Investigation began in July. @CityNewsVAN

— Monika Gul (@MonikaGul) October 13, 2021

The safety board said days after the fire that it sent rail investigators to the scene after receiving information about its possible cause from the RCMP and BC Wildfire Service.

A proposed class-action lawsuit filed in B.C. Supreme Court in August alleges the Canadian Pacific and Canadian National railways caused or contributed to the wildfire, although neither company has filed a statement of defence in the case.

None of the allegations have been tested in court.

RELATED: Lytton wildfire lawsuit filed against CP, CN Rail

CN issued a statement on July 6 saying it had investigated video footage posted on social media suggesting a train had caused the Lytton fire.

“After examining the evidence, CN has concluded the video does not show a train in or near Lytton at the time of the fire in the village. In fact, the video shows a train 45 kilometres south of Lytton, and the smoke seen in the video comes from a different fire that was already burning.”

Canadian Pacific has declined to comment on the civil claim, but has noted previous statements saying the fire remains under investigation and any conclusions or speculation about its cause or contributing factors are premature.

The company said in July that it inspected all CP trains that travelled through Lytton during the relevant time period on June 30 and based on its review, which included video footage, it found “nothing to indicate that any of CP’s trains or equipment that passed through Lytton caused or contributed to the fire.”

 

MLA says residents need to be consulted, kept informed on rebuild

For Tegart, the focus needs to be on rebuilding and recovery. She says progress has been slow, and communication has been lacking.

“It was an incredibly traumatizing experience. So many people only got out of their homes with the clothes on their backs. As we know two people perished that day, and also many people lost animals and beloved pets. People are displaced. They’re feeling disconnected,” she says.

“They emphasize how important it is to include them in the recovery planning and how anxious they are to get back in to look at their properties. Right now it’s limited access, and they’ve been in hotel rooms and motel rooms for over 100 days. Winter’s coming, so there is a great deal of work to be done. They’re urging council to keep the momentum going for provincial government to step up and assist.”

The RCMP detachment, post office, and other critical infrastructure were destroyed by the fire, Tegart points out.

“The sorts of things that are part of our everyday lives are gone. People are anxious to get those basic things back because the community of Lytton was a hub for a great many people who live outside the Village boundaries, and there’s a lot of work to get those services back for the people who are living there, and those who want to come back,” she says.

“For anybody that drives by or through Lytton, it’s like a war zone. You just get heavy as you drive through and you see the burnt-out areas.”

She says, her role is to continue to keep up pressure on the province, and to remind Premier John Horgan to keep his promise to “have the backs of the residents of Lytton.”

With files from Tarnjit Parmar