One year after devastating fire, Lytton residents still struggling to rebuild

LYTTON B.C. — Tomorrow will mark a sombre anniversary in our province. June 30, 2021 — the day Lytton was lost to fire.

While both the federal and provincial governments have recently pledged millions of dollars in funding to rebuild the downtown core, residents are still waiting to see the rubble removed from their yards so they can begin to rebuild.

From June 27 to 29, 2021, the Village of Lytton set three consecutive records for being the hottest place in Canada, reaching 49.6 degrees Celsius on the 29th. On the 30th, the downtown core of the village was burned to ground. Now 365 days later, many are still struggling to rebuild their homes — and their lives.

“Is this for real? Did this all really happen or are we in a nightmare and we are going to wake up one day? But then you drive through town every day and it hits you in the face, this is not a nightmare. This is real. And it is so unfortunate that the progress has been so darn slow in downtown Lytton,” said Edith Loring-Kuhanga.

Loring-Kuhanga lost her home in downtown Lytton and only just this past month has been able to find a nearby rental.

Maria Adams was one of the lucky ones. Her house was saved. Unfortunately many of her family members and friends were not as fortuitous, leaving her with survivor’s guilt.

“It’s traumatizing to see my aunt and uncles house still rubble and their vehicle still hanging in the air,” said Adams.

Maria Adams’ family’s truck remains suspended high above the rubble of her Uncle’s home (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

Her aunt and uncle’s older model pickup truck, hanging from a hoist in the middle of town, remains a stark reminder of the work still needing to be done. But as the cleanup continues, those still in town have a simple ask of government, to return at least essential services to the village.

“Downtown Lytton did burn but the surrounding areas are still here and we are trying to stay as a community like we were before. It’s hard because we are missing the downtown core. But we are still here, trying to survive, keeping each other strong and supporting each other,” said Adams.

“There is so much more to a community than that small core group of people and I think that is being forgotten as we look at essential services and things. There are still people here. We are still Lytton and we still need those services,” added Tricia Thorpe.

Thorpe lives just outside of the municipal boundaries and wasn’t fully insured when she lost her home a year ago. Despite that, she has been one of the first to begin rebuilding.

“We are the only ones that are back in our home. We didn’t have insurance. This house was basically been built — for lack of a better term — on love and friendship. It has all been volunteer labour. Everybody has pitched in and helped us to be where we are at. It has been a real community effort, a grassroots effort,” said Thorpe.

All three have seen their lives change dramatically since that day in different ways, yet to all, the feeling of lost community stands above the rest.

“We used to walk down the street and stop at the elders’ complex and wave at the (grandmothers and grandfathers). But where the daycares are now, there is no elders complex for the wave or anywhere to walk with them anymore,” said Adams, remembering her time at a local daycare facility.

“There were a lot of elderly gentleman who would sit on the park benches and would say hello to you as you walked by. Those are the simple things that I miss,” remarked Thorpe.

“That’s what hurts the most —that, as residents, we haven’t been able to connect with one and other,” added Loring-Kuhanga.

Thursday (June 30), the Village of Lytton will be holding a private ceremony to mark the anniversary of the fire. Residents will bury a time capsule in the village filled with letters about their harrowing experiences one year ago.