Prince George, B.C. –  Fire investigators will be combing through the rubble of what was once the gymnasium on the lakeside grounds of Ness Lake Bible Camp later this morning.

A spectacular blaze on New Year’s Eve razed the wooden structure, while fire fighters from the Ness Lake, Pilot Mountain, Beaverly and Buckhorn Volunteer Fire Departments fought successfully to contain the flames to just the one building. 

Ness Lake VFD Chief Paul Davenport says he will be on-scene, along with three investigators from other jurisdictions, to try and determine the cause of the fire.

"The building has been levelled, obviously," says Davenport.  "And it makes the investigation more challenging. Part of the goal is to try and determine where the fire originated and see if there are any clues left still that might pinpoint how it started."

The fire chief says the investigators have set aside a large chunk of the day to sift through all that remains of the gym.  He says it’s too early to say whether they might come to any conclusions.  "It’s a possibility," but Davenport adds, "At this time, it’s really hard to say with an event involving this thorough of a burn."

So far, he says, the RCMP have not started an active investigation into the matter.  "They’ve asked for us to keep them updated as to what our findings are and that will give them an idea of how they want to carry on with their portion of the investigation."