Multiple agencies are investigating after a house fire on Squamish Nation lands Friday evening that left one man dead.
The first 911 call came in just after 7:30 p.m. after fire broke out in a home on the 300 block of Skawshen Road on Xwemelch’stn (Capilano 5 Reserve).
Investigators say a 69-year-old Squamish Nation elder and her son were in the home when the woman smelled smoke and followed it to her son’s second-floor bedroom.
“Her son was unconscious. She tried but was unable to get him out of the house or out of the room,” said Const. Jeff Palmer, West Vancouver police spokesman.
District of North Vancouver firefighters had the nearest trucks and crews available and were the first on the scene. They rushed into the burning room and pulled the 51-year-old man out. Attempts to resuscitate him, however, were unsuccessful.
“Tragically he was pronounced deceased at the scene,” Palmer said. “It’s definitely a very traumatic situation.”
The woman was taken to hospital to be treated for burns and smoke inhalation.
The deceased man has been identified as Les Nahanee. Friends have launched a crowdfunding campaign aimed at helping his family, including his mother Norma.
“Norma not only has lost her son, but has most likely lost everything in the house. Right now she has nothing to go back to. She will need to basically start from scratch.
“We are hoping with your kindness and generosity we can help take away some of the pain they are experiencing. Please help, no matter the amount, if we pull together we can make it work,” the plea for help reads.
Norma remains in hospital, according the GoFundMe.com page.
The family has been offered the support of West Vancouver’s victim services unit.
The fire damage was confined to just one room but the rest of the home has major smoke and water damage, according to West Vancouver assistant fire chief Jeff Bush. It’s not known whether the home is salvageable, he added.
Investigators were still on the scene on Tuesday sifting through the wreckage in hopes of finding the cause of the blaze. That could take a long time, Bush said.
“I’ve instructed them to be very, extremely methodical and rule out absolutely everything,” he said. “It’s obviously a significant loss and our thoughts are with the family.”
Bush said the home had smoke detectors, but the incident should be a reminder for everyone that smoke detectors must be checked frequently.
“Please ensure that your smoke alarms are working at all times and test them on a monthly basis,” he said.
Because the fire happened on Squamish Nation land, damages are covered by the band’s insurance, Bush said.
The BC Coroners Service has been tasked with determining the exact cause of death.
