Search for Human Remains Underway

By 250 News

A team   has started sifting through this debris  in search of human remains

Prince George, B.C.-  While it would appear  the  task of  searching the debris  in the  of the NT Air fire  for human remains is  daunting, Dr. Richard Lazenby, a Forensic Anthropologist  at UNBC says it is likely the job will be complete  by the end of the weekend.

“This is still a missing person’s case” says Dr. Lazenby, who, along with two students and the members of the RCMP Forensic Identification Section, have started going through the rubble again, for any sign of the remains of Vernon Martin.  The 55 year old Prince George man was last seen at 1:00 on December 19^th, just before the NT Air Hangar burst into flames.

(at right,  memorials to Vernon Martin on the security fence surrounding the  fire site )

“This  search is meant to bring closure to the family” says Constable Gary Godwin.   The search of the debris has resumed because of milder temperatures which have allowed the thick block of ice created by the fire fighting efforts, to melt.

Dr. Lazenby says  depending on the  temperature of the fire,  it  is possible  some human remains will  still be  on site “The human body is  quite resilient,  we expect to find some skeletal remains as  some bones  can  take a great  deal of heat.”

The search got underway this morning with an excavator moving large pieces of debris.   Then, searchers will sift through debris looking for clues.

Searchers donned  special breathing masks to protect against asbestos that was in the building.

The Prince George fire Department completed its investigation into the blaze in mid January and said the cause will be officially registered as “undetermined”.

Email | Print | Facebook | Twitter | Digg | Del.icio.us