Papers have been filed in BC Supreme Court on behalf of Lytton and the Thompson Nicola Regional District to potentially find a way for reimbursement for the deadly fire which destroyed most of the Village nearly 2-years ago.

The TNRD’s GM of Legislative Services, Deanna Campbell, says the Municipal Insurance Association of BC has filed papers on their behalf for possible recoupment of costs from CN, CP and Transport Canada.

Campbell says the papers were filed by the Insurance Association as a matter of course, as the 2-year statute of limitations is set to expire on June 30th.

“After they’ve paid out any costs to cover our claims, they also have the right to something called ‘subrogation.’ So that means they have the right to request reimbursement of the costs that they’ve paid to us from any at-fault parties.”

The court filing does lay out a statement of claim on behalf of Lytton and the TNRD, alleging Transport Canada allowed trains to continue to move through the region, despite the high heat at the time.

While it calls for costs and damages related to the fire, Campbell says the suit will not be served to CN, CP or Transport Canada.

Instead, she says it’s meant to give the Municipal Insurance Association of BC an additional year to find any evidence of fault.

Investigations into the June 30th, 2021 fire has been unable to find a direct cause.

However, locals in Lytton suggest a passing train just minutes before the blaze broke out in nearly 50-degree temperatures would seem to be the likely cause.

Campbell says she’s unaware of any new investigation into the potential cause of the Lytton fire, which left two people dead, and destroyed over 90-percent of the Village.

“I’m not aware of any other reports or investigations happening at this time,” said Campbell. “I think that they [the Municipal Insurance Association of BC] would probably just wait it out and see if any new evidence arises over the next year and then make a decision and go from there.”

The filing comes just days after the Village of Lytton allowed its local State of Emergency to expire, allowing locals access to their burned out properties.

It’s expected those hoping to rebuild may be able to get the process underway in the next couple of months.