The B.C. Wildfire Service says the fire that burned through Lytton, B.C., last week, resulting in two deaths, was likely human-caused, CBC reports.
Fire information officer Erika Berg said Sunday the wildfire service suspects the fire came from within the Village of Lytton.
“The specific cause of the Lytton Creek wildfire remains under investigation by both the RCMP as well as our fire origin cause investigators,” Berg said.
“It is suspected to be human-caused, but that specific cause remains to be determined.”
The fire is currently under the jurisdiction of the Lytton fire brigade, she said.
The fire began Wednesday after Lytton, about 150 kilometers northeast of Vancouver, recorded the highest temperature ever seen in Canada on three consecutive days, topping out at 49.6 C on Tuesday as an unprecedented heat wave scorched Western Canada.
There are now more than 180 active fires in the province. On Monday, more than 100 out-of-province fire crews will arrive to assist.
More than 1,000 people fled Lytton and the surrounding area Wednesday.
The province said Thursday the loss includes "most homes" and structures in the village, as well as the local ambulance station and RCMP detachment. The local member of parliament said 90 per cent of the village is gone.
