'It'll be a total rebuild': Lytton, B.C., mayor describes work underway and next steps
There is a lot of work being done in the village of Lytton, B.C., as fire crews continue to battle the out of control fire that swept through town this week.
The village's mayor says the ambulance station, police detachment, homes and grocery store will all need to be rebuilt.
“From what I can see in town there’s only a few houses left so it’ll be a total rebuild,” Jan Polderman said.
“The vital infrastructure all needs to be rebuilt the power grid all the electrical lines are down … right now we’re in the process of shutting off the water to a bunch of the houses that have burnt down as a bunch of the water is coming out the pipes.”
He said a hazmat team is also working in the village due to some of the hazards that have been found.
According to the province, the fire is about 6,400 hectares in size and still burning out of control. One of the biggest challenges for crews now is figuring out where residents went after fleeing the village and how many are missing.
During the frantic evacuation, he explained, everyone went in different directions, some heading south, other north, to evacuation centres and friends or families homes.
“We’re asking the residents to go on the website ESS to register so that we can try and get a list together of who’s where and who’s out and who we need to look for,” he said.
There have also been a number of injuries the mayor explained.
“They were burned trying to leave or trying to put the fires out,” he said. “It was such a quick evacuation. They literally had 10 minutes to grab their coat, and pets and wallet and left.”
Polderman said he heard from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau this morning about next steps.
“The prime minister has said that the federal government will assist in rebuilding the town,” he explained. “And that he’s thinking of all the people in this province that are affected by all the wildfire situation.”
They also want to get some temporary housing set up for residents, so they can have a place to stay while the rebuild happens.
“I’d like to thank all the first responders and the people that are doing their best to help to put the fire out and to save people’s lives and save the city and homes and the surrounding forests,” said Polderman. “They were working under extremely difficult circumstances.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.