Kamloops firefighters say the exact cause of the fire that gutted Parkcrest Elementary in September may never be known.

Fire Inspector Kevin Cassidy says the fire broke out in a concealed space in the ceiling in the northwest corner of the school.

“An extensive investigation done by Kamloops Fire Rescue, RCMP investigators, and the insurance companies,” he said. “We eliminated all possibly ignition sources in the area of fire origin. There was not enough evidence to give us a probably cause of this fire.”

Cassidy says the fire was burning for an undetermined amount of time before it dropped down into a classroom and spread rapidly.

“When it dropped down into one of the classrooms, it was fast moving which makes it very difficult for our fire crews to contain,” Cassidy added, noting firefighters were on scene within six minutes of being called, but conditions weren’t safe for them to enter the school.

“RCMP had a general interest in their part of the investigation, and the insurance company went even further with more of an extensive investigation over the last few months,” Cassidy noted. “We all came to the same conclusion that its undetermined.”

He says as far as KFR is concerned, their investigation is closed.