One person feared dead after fire destroys Fraser Lake Inn and nearby business

A person is believed to have died following an early morning fire that destroyed the Fraser Lake Inn and a neighbouring commercial building in the community of Fraser Lake.

The Fraser Lake RCMP said officers were called to the scene at approximately 3:06 a.m. on February 22 after reports of a structure fire at the Fraser Lake Inn. When police arrived, they learned that an individual had reportedly re-entered the building and had not been located.

Officers attempted to search the structure but were forced to withdraw because of heavy smoke. The Fraser Lake Fire Department later extinguished the blaze, but both the inn and an adjacent business were destroyed.

Staff Sgt. Kris Clark of the BC RCMP said investigators believe the missing individual likely died in the fire. The site remains unsafe due to lingering heat and toxic off-gassing, preventing a full search from being completed.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Police say there is currently no indication of criminal activity. The incident is under investigation as authorities work to confirm the identity of the missing person and determine the origin of the blaze.

Fraser Lake is located west of Prince George along Highway 16. Fires affecting small community businesses can have significant local economic impacts, particularly in rural areas where accommodation and commercial services are limited.