Police say they have been unable to determine the cause of the wildfire that destroyed Lytton in June 2021.
RCMP said Wednesday they have wrapped their investigation into the devastating fire, but have unfortunately come up empty.
“Throughout this investigation the RCMP focused on the how and why,” says Chief Supt. Brad Haugli, Southeast District commander.
“While we have no single source or cause that can account for the devastating fire, it was not due to a lack of effort. Significant work was done to not only look at establishing and confirming what did happen, but to eliminate what didn’t happen.”
While investigators have been unable to determine the cause and origin of the fire, they say there is no evidence to suggest the fire was intentionally set.
RCMP say their efforts to determine the origin of the fire was focused on a parking lot and park area at the end of River Drive at the south end of Lytton.
The movements and actions of all individuals, vehicle traffic and a southbound freight train that were all in the area around 4:30 p.m. when the wildfire first began were examined.
Temperatures exceeded 48 C at the time of the fire with wind speeds between 22 and 25 km/h.
Fifty-five physical exhibits and digital forensic evidence — which included over 400 videos and photographs collectively — were collected along with 168 witness interviews.
RCMP also reviewed parallel investigations conducted by the BC Coroners Service, BC Wildfire Service, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada and a review of findings from Transport Canada’s inspections.
Police say their findings have been shared with the Village of Lytton, the Lytton First Nation and the family of the two people who died in the fire.
While the investigation has wrapped, RCMP say that does not preclude them from reopening the file if new information is received. As a result, specific details of the evidence are not being shared.
“We remain committed to the community and the important need to support all those impacted, while we also join in the collective efforts to rebuild,” said Haugli.
RCMP say the investigation was also a learning experience for the force.
“The RCMP has expanded its knowledge base with respect to wildfire investigative techniques and enhanced our relationships with provincial and federal authorities,” said police in a statement.
