Leighton: Disaster victims visit their devastated village

Leighton residents in British Columbia were the first to see the devastation caused by wildfires.

Also read: TSB has launched an investigation into the Leighton fire

The victims were able to return to their village by bus, evacuating to other towns in the province until they put out the blaze.

House foundations, burnt vehicles and house ruins now cover this desolate village.

While some preferred not to go back, others felt it was important to go there to see how much damage had been done depending on the surreal situation.

“The good side of this disaster is solidarity. People have come together to see the devastation. We are blessed that the midnight fires did not happen because it will be a cemetery here in Leighton,” said a local resident.

“It simply came to our notice then. Solidarity comes after any great disaster, ”he said.

Ottawa has also set up a 48-hour train ban, which the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is investigating because many believe the train may have been the source of the fires.