The June 2 house fire that left a North Vancouver woman dead will be ruled as accidental.
Rescuers pulled Lindsay Emma Bailey, a 36-year-old care aid, from the home on the 400 block of Queensbury Avenue but she could not be revived.
North Vancouver City Fire Department Deputy Chief Dave Owens said, based on the burn pattern, investigators are confident about where the fire started.
“All factors do point to a stovetop cause and origin of the fire,” he said. “We are just trying to be able to determine whether the element was actually on. That’s the one piece we haven’t been able to do because there was so much damage to it.”
Kitchen accidents are one of the leading causes of house fires in B.C., Owens said, which means there is a public safety message that can be shared broadly.
“Never leave anything unattended. Don’t cook when you’re under the influence of drugs or alcohol or if you’re tired in case you fall asleep,” he said.
Owens said the unit where the fire broke out did not have a working smoke alarm and that almost half of the homes in B.C. that have had a fire don’t.
Owens said the incident should also underscore the importance of everyone having a home escape plan that includes a second way out, should the building be burning.
The BC Coroners Service hasn’t yet confirmed the exact cause of death, Owens added.
“Our thoughts are with the family, of course, through this tough time and we just hope that people can listen to some safety messaging and make sure they’re as safe as they can be,” he said.
An obituary prepared by Bailey’s family paid tribute to their lost loved one.
“Lindsay always shared a special bond with her family and friends. She had a heart of gold and wasn’t afraid to stand up for what she believed in or tell people that she loved them,” the obituary read. “Lindsay will be remembered most for her kindness, thoughtfulness, positive energy, way with words and beautiful vibrant smile. She had a sparkle that lit up a room, could give an incredible hug, would hold hands with whoever walked by her side and had an innate ability to make everyone feel special.”
A GoFundMe campaign launched by North Vancouver’s Griffins Boxing, meanwhile, has raised almost $13,000.
This story has been updated to add new information.
