Skip to content

Belarko Hatchery burns to ground; fire deemed not suspicious

On Wednesday February 1st 2017 Bella Coola RCMP responded to a structure fire
8793bellacoolaBelarkoHatcheryWEB
By the time crews arrived the building had been nearly completely consumed by flames

On Wednesday February 1st 2017 Bella Coola RCMP responded to a structure fire at the Department of Fisheries (DFO) Hatchery Site at the Belarko Bear Viewing area in Teedsmuir Park.

Upon police arrival both of the buildings were totally engulfed in flames. The Nuxalk Fire department did attend however both buildings were too far gone and the structures were completely destroyed by the fire. There were no injuries.

The site is used by DFO as part of their hatchery operations for about four months of the year and both buildings were unoccupied at the time of the blaze. While police and Fire Investigators continue to look into the cause of this fire, they have ruled out arson. Investigators feel that an internal malfunction within the building caused the fire.