UPDATE: Body of missing woman recovered after boat fire in Ladysmith

(UPDATE: March 2, 2021 @1:15 pm): Investigators from the Ladysmith RCMP have concluded their investigation into the fatal boat fire at the Ladysmith Harbour on Saturday after the remains of a woman were recovered.

"The investigators have determined that this was a tragic incident, and there is no indication of any criminality," says Cpl. Chris Manseau, spokesperson for the Vancouver Island RCMP.

"The investigators have since recovered the remains of the woman from the boat and have been in close contact with the BC Coroners Service."

The BC Coast Guard has been involved and may recover what remains of the vessel and the debris.

"The Ladysmith RCMP want to thank the quick actions of those nearby witnesses who rescued the man from the boat as it was engulfed in flames," said Staff Sgt. Steve Perret, Acting Detachment Commander of the Ladysmith RCMP. "Their quick actions likely saved this person’s life."

(Original story):

An investigation remains underway as officials continue to search the Ladysmith Harbour for any signs of a woman who was last seen alive on board a large vessel that went ablaze early Saturday morning.

On Saturday at 5:19 am, Ladysmith RCMP received a report of a boat fire at the Ladysmith Marina.

Front line RCMP officers arrived at the Gladden Road area marina to find the Ladysmith Fire Department and BC Emergency Health Services on scene and the vessel fully engulfed in flames.

One of two occupants aboard the boat were rescued by the operator of a small skiff.

“Tragically the second occupant of the boat, a woman in her 60s, was unable to escape the blaze,” states Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey, spokesperson for the BC RCMP.

The man who had been rescued from the boat sustained what police believe to be non-life threatening injuries. He was taken to hospital by BC Emergency Health Services for medical attention.

The 50-foot vessel had gone adrift in the harbour and was safely towed to shore by the Ladysmith Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue.

The fire was fully extinguished by the Ladysmith Fire Department at Slag Point.

RCMP divers with the Underwater Recovery Team (URT) were on site Saturday to search the waters of the boat marina.

If you witnessed this incident and have not yet spoken to police you are asked to call the Ladysmith RCMP at 250-245-2215.