1909 landmark hotel destroyed by suspected arson
By Mona Mattei
Grand Forks RCMP have a suspect in custody for arson as another heritage landmark, the Grand Forks Hotel built in 1909, burnt to the ground last night.
“Given the suspicious circumstances of the fires we are not releasing anything about the suspect at this time,” said Grand Forks RCMP Staff Sergeant Jim Harrison.
At about 3:30 a.m. Grand Forks fire chief Dale Heriot and his crew responded to a call on a fire at the Winnipeg Hotel.
“As I was proceeding to the hotel, I was almost at the hotel, I received a call that there was a fire at the Grand Forks hotel as well,” said Heriot.
The fire at the Winnipeg, near the patio area in the back of the hotel, was left to the supervision of assistant fire chief Manfred Bialon while Heriot turned his attention to the Grand Forks Hotel.
“It was a straight defensive fire,” said Heriot. “By the time we got there there was heavy smoke and there was no chance of sending the guys in to battle in the interior so we stayed defensive.”
Initially, Heriot said the fire was involved at the back entrance and there was smoke billowing out of the upper floors as well. Between 20 – 25 firefighters spent the night fighting the blaze with seven fire trucks and equipment between both sites.
Rumours indicate that the suspect is a local man who was kicked out of both pubs on Tuesday night due to drunk and disorderly conduct and left a note on the Grand Forks Hotel for the owners – R.I.P.
There were two occupants at the Grand Forks hotel who were able to get out of the building on their own and occupants of the Winnipeg were evacuated as well. The damage at the Winnipeg Hotel was limited and occupants will be able to return to the building.
The 20 people who were misplaced by the fire are being taken care of at the Boundary Extreme Weather Shelter. No causalities or injuries reported.
Deb Billwiller, president of the Boundary Food Bank, said that they will have an emergency opening for the displaced occupants of the hotels tomorrow, Thursday, from 10 a.m. until noon.
Firefighters were supported by community business owners as Yaky Jacquie’s served coffee and Happy Days Donuts handed out some of their specialty to keep the firemen warm through the night.
All vehicle traffic is being detoured from Central Avenue to protect the public from the potential collapse of the Grand Forks Hotel onto the road.
~ With files from Erin Perkins
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