HISTORIC CHURCH BURNS AT REDSTONE
by Sage Birchwater

The Chilcotin lost one of its oldest buildings on the evening of April 9, 2000, as the 90 year old St Francis Catholic Church at Redstone Flats went up in smoke.  The fire started as the result of spring clean-up burning of dry grass earlier in the day as a spark got under the tinder-dry structure and was unnoticed until it was too late.

Members of the Tsi Deldel community responded to the emergency, eventually mobilizing the fire truck and pouring water on the flames and neighboring buildings.  By then the whole building was engulfed inferno.  But the quick action of the volunteers managed to save an adjacent storage shed that held an antique pump organ that was once used in church, and prevented any fire damage to the next-door residence of Janet Marianne and Gary Char.

Tsi Deldel Chief Ervin Charleyboy credits the efforts of members of his community for keeping damage to a minimum.  "I was impressed with the young guys.  How they got right in there and helped." The Chief said he appreciated the help of neighbor, Steve Horsman, who is training in fire-fighting techniques. "It's a good thing he came along.  He knows how to operate the fire engine gave some leadership in fighting the fire." Charleyboy said that he and Duane Marianne were up until 1 a.m. dousing the last of the embers.  The next morning Lloyd Charleyboy came in with his skidder and cleaned up the charred rubble.