Foul play or human activity have been ruled out as the cause of the Feb. 27 fire that destroyed the top floor of the 35-unit 1000 Peaks Lodge at Panorama Mountain Village, causing extensive water damage throughout the building.

“We worked with engineers and the BC Safety Authority through the day Friday to complete the investigation. Due to the extreme heat in the area of origin, vital evidence was completely destroyed giving investigators no option other than to deem the cause undetermined,” said Columbia Valley Fire & Rescue Service Chief Jim Miller. “We have identified where the fire started and although the cause is undetermined, we can confirm that foul-play and human-related activities were not factors in the fire. It is a no-fault fire.

“The top floor of the complex has been destroyed by the fire. There is also some fire damage to the fourth floor and the rest of the building has sustained extensive water damage,” Miller said.

“We do not have a damage estimate at this time; however, it will be significant,” he added.

“The portions of the building that were not affected by fire and water damage have been turned over to the Resort’s security team, who are gathering personal belongings and returning them to their owners,” said Regional District of East Kootenay Communications Manager Loree Duczek.

At the peak of the early morning blaze, 27 firefighters from the Panorama, Windermere and Invermere Fire Departments worked to keep the flames contained to the fifth floor.

A skeleton crew remained in place following the fire and 24-hour security was established around the building.

All known occupants of the complex were accounted for with no reported injuries.

Above image courtesy Jane Davies

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