Fire erupts in Blueberry River First Nations

A fire broke out at the school on the Blueberry River First Nations (BRFN) reservation on January 17th.

By Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

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News

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January 17, 2026

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A fire erupted in Blueberry River First Nations this morning. (Submitted)

BUICK, B.C – A fire reportedly broke out on the grounds of Blueberry River First Nations (BRFN) this morning.

One resident of BRFN, who would prefer to remain anonymous, told Energeticcity.ca there was a fire in the early hours of Saturday, January 17th, which occurred at the school on the Reserve.

Energeticcity.ca has made contact with both the B.C. RCMP and BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) for further information.

The Fort St. John Fire Department confirmed it did not send out units to the fire due to “jurisdictional constraints.”

Energeticcity.ca will update this story as further details become available.

Authors

Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A guy who found his calling later in life, Edward Hitchins is a professional storyteller with a colourful and extensive history.

Beginning his journey into journalism in 2012 at Seneca College, Edward also graduated from Humber College with an Advanced Diploma in Print and Broadcast Journalism in 2018. After time off from his career and venturing into other vocations, he started his career proper in 2022 in Campbell River, B.C.

Edward was attracted to the position of Indigenous Voices reporter with Energeticcity as a challenge. Having not been around First Nations for the majority of his life, he hopes to learn about their culture through meaningful conversations while properly telling their stories.

In a way, he hopes this position will allow both himself and Energeticcity to grow as a collective unit as his career moves forward and evolves into the next step.

He looks forward to growing both as a reporter and as a human being while being posted in Fort St. John.

This reporting position has been funded by the Government of Canada and the Local Journalism Initiative.