File photo (image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

LYTTON CLASS ACTION

‘Some kind of closure’; Lytton wildfire class action lawsuit receives green light to proceed

Dec 3, 2025 | 4:29 PM

KAMLOOPS — A B.C. Supreme Court judge says a class action lawsuit filed against Canadian Pacific and Canadian National railways can move ahead after a catastrophic fire in June 2021 destroyed nearly the entire village of Lytton and much of the surrounding area.

The ruling released Tuesday from Justice Ward Branch says there’s “some basis in fact” to support the plaintiffs’ allegations that the fire was caused by railway operations.

While the class action suit will now move forward, it will likely not be until 2027 that the case actually proceeds to trial — and that’s barring any potential appeal from the railway companies.

“If it is found that the train did start the fire, then maybe there is some kind of restitution for that loss and acknowledgement,” said Tricia Thorpe, who lost her home in the 2021 fire. “I think not just the financial impact, but the emotional impact is huge for a lot of people.”

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The class is for those who suffered losses in the fire, and subclasses for family members of people who died as a result of the fire, and those who lost property not covered by insurance. While signatories are not expected to strike it rich, it could bring closure.

“I’ve actually been talking to a few of my friends who no longer live in the area — they are talking about it, seeing it as accountability. It’s acknowledgement of the event and some people see it as kind of a small light at the end of a very, very long tunnel,” added Thorpe.

“We had the report come out, the TSB report saying that the railways weren’t at fault, which is fine. Then the RCMP report came out to say it was kind of inconclusive — they couldn’t prove how the fire started. Maybe this will provide a bit more information, closure for people,” said Lytton Mayor Denise O’Connor.

With the suit now certified, that opens up discovery for the plaintiffs and the ability to get more information about the fire.

While Thorpe lost her home outside of Lytton, Mayor O’Connor just finished rebuilding her home in the village centre. She noted the municipality itself is remaining focused on their rebuild, while the slow process plays out.

“We need to put this away. Let’s get through it. People have been waiting a long time for this,” said O’Connor. “And people are pretty excited it’s going through, around the area I’ve heard people talk about it, and even at the event today it was a bit of the chatter. But it’s just so hard. I’m not sure everybody realizes how long it is going to take.”

Thorpe noted everybody affected by the fire, including herself, will be joining the suit unless they decide to opt out.

“Everybody knows trains start fires. Whether this one was started by the train or not, that is for the courts to decide if there is enough probability,” said Thorpe. “But one way or another, there will be some kind of closure for people. I think, unfortunately, it’s going to take years.”

The case was originally filed within weeks of the 2021 fire, taking years to even reach this point.