A New Year’s Eve fire razed the gymnasium at Ness Lake Bible Camp

Prince George, B.C. –  Fire investigators spent yesterday sifting through the burned remnants of what was once the large gymnasium at Ness Lake Bible Camp, searching for clues as to what may have sparked a spectacular blaze on New Year’s Eve that completely gutted the building.

But the Chief of the Ness Lake Volunteer Fire Department says the heat damage was so extensive that there was no way investigators could determine a cause definitively.  Paul Davenport says, "The official cause for this fire is unkown."

The fire broke out in the wooden structure shortly before 10pm.  NLBC Director, Will Born, says the gym was empty at the time, but 25 campers and 20-25 staff members participating in a weekend New Year’s Camp were evacuated safely thanks in large part, he says, to Program Intern, Ruth Jutzeler. (click here for previous story)

Approximately 30 firefighters from four Volunteer Fire Departments – Ness Lake, Pilot Mountain, Beaverly, and Buckhorn – battled the flames that were leaping above the treetops.  They were successful in saving the adjacent 200-seat dining hall, and a nearby log cabin.  The photo at right was taken by Trudy Mothus, a professional photographer who lives at the lake and grabbed her camera when she saw the flames starting shooting into the night sky from her front window.

NLVFD Chief Davenport says he had five investigators, including gas and electrical inspectors, on-site to conduct a thorough search and he’s satisfied with their conclusion.  "(This) will basically close the case," he says.  "We found no evidence that would bring suspicion to cause the police to start their own investigation."

"From here on, there will be some civil matters. The camp needs to deal with their insurance and everything, but that’s a civil matter and it’s out of our hands."

The finding puts a finish on a very eventful weekend for the Ness Lake Volunteer Fire Department.  Immediately after the fire, Chief Davenport said it was always disappointing to lose property, but all were thankful there had been no lives lost or any injuries.  Now, he adds to that,"I’m very proud of my members. We had just about a full turn-out – there’s only a couple of people that were absent because they were out of town – and they worked hard, they put into action all the training that they’ve done, so I’m very proud of my members.