An eight-year-old Oliver boy who died following a tragic RV fire last year, might have been playing with matches, a coroner’s report states.
Cody O’Connor died on Sept. 13, 2013 at Canuck Place hospice in Vancouver, more than two weeks after sustaining extensive burns and other injuries in the August 28 blaze at the Centennial RV Park and Campground.

Coroner Jed Maddock said investigators determined the fire was likely caused by matches. Cody was alone in the motorhome but was being checked on every 30 minutes.

“Cody had been seen previously using matches to light a paper cup on fire at the kitchen table inside the motorhome,” the coroner stated. “After this incident the matches had been hidden inside the motorhome.”

Fire investigators said the source of the fire appeared to be at the base of a couch behind the driver’s seat. “There were no accelerants used and there is no electrical wiring in this area,” he said.

Cody was airlifted to Vancouver where he was diagnosed with burns to 20 per cent of his body. He also sustained serious lung injuries due to smoke inhalation.

Maddock ruled the boy’s death accidental and made no recommendations.

Thanks to Penticton Herald