CP: Speculation over Lytton fire's cause is 'irresponsible'

Canadian Pacific officials say that speculation over whether train operations sparked a wildfire that destroyed the British Columbia village of Lytton late last month is "irresponsible and misleading."

CP issued a statement in response to the Transportation Safety Board (TSB) of Canada's investigation into whether rail operations are responsible triggered a wildfire that destroyed the village of Lytton in British Columbia.

On June 30, smoke was spotted on the nearby hills around the pedestrian bridge which parallels the CN bridge at Lytton. Due to the high winds and dry conditions in the area, a fire, which had ignited, quickly spread to the Lytton, destroying many buildings and homes. Two fatalities were reported.

TSB deployed an investigation team on July 9 to gather information and assess. In a statement given to the Canadian press, TSB Chair Kathy Fox said that a full TSB report on any train-related cause or contributing factors in connection to the Lytton fire could take up to two years. Additionally, Fox is reported to have stated that it "is certainly a wake-up call to really look at what precautions need to be taken by railway companies," CP officials noted in their statement.

In light of the early stage of this TSB investigation, CP officials believe "it is irresponsible and misleading to imply that railways are to blame for the fire," according to CP’s statement.

"A review of the key facts confirms that railways are not a significant cause of wildfires in B.C., contrary to media and government speculation,” CP officials said. “The vast majority of wildfires are caused by nature when environmental conditions are extremely hot and dry, like those recently experienced in B.C.”

To read CP's statement in its entirety, click here.