The investigation into the April 17 fire that destroyed Clancys' restaurant has now been completed, but investigators failed to find the cause.
The source of the devastating fire has been classed as "undetermined," according to British Columbia deputy fire commissioner Dave Ferguson.
The loss was so complete, he explains, there was nothing left to investigate when his staff from Kamloops arrived to work with the Forest Grove Fire Department on determining the cause.
"We don't care for those types of answers, but the reality is that when there is nothing left to investigate, we need to accept that decision and declare it as such."
There was no evidence that could be documented from the responding firefighters' report, as to where the fire started, says Ferguson.
He adds that puts any sort of meaningful investigation into a more difficult situation.
The Office of the Fire Commissioner strives to provide all the help they can to local volunteer departments, he notes.
"In these challenging times of recruitment and retention for volunteers, we want them to have the support they need to go home and sleep nights, knowing they did the best they could under difficult circumstances."
While the 11-hour efforts of the 35 firefighters who responded with 11 fire trucks to try to save the business were undoubtedly valiant, it's likely no one will ever know what started the fire.
Noting Clancys' owner Ian Kim escaped from an upstairs suite without injury after being alerted by smoke detectors, Ferguson says this is the key message he wants to communicate to area residents.
Clancys' is leased and managed by Angela Thibeault, who says Kim plans to rebuild.
