A Port Renfrew business that was soon to be opening as a hostel and adventure centre went down in flames early Saturday morning.
At approximately 5 a.m., Port Renfrew Fire Rescue responded to a call from an employee who was staying in the staff housing beside the property, saying the building had caught fire.
Mike Hicks, Capital Regional District director for the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area, said by the time the fire rescue arrived at the scene, the wooden building was engulfed in 50 to 60-foot-high flames.
Firefighters, as well as some members of the community, worked until noon the next day to contain the fire.
Jack Julseth from Three Point Properties, who owns the property with a few family members, said he was happy that no one was hurt, and that no other properties were damaged.
B次元官网网址淚f there was going to be a fire, we were pretty blessed, and none of our operations have been affected at all,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚t sucks that we put so much effort in to the building and itB次元官网网址檚 all gone, but business is usual and weB次元官网网址檒l just have to rebuild that portion.B次元官网网址�
The building, which was formerly known as the old Lighthouse Pub, was set to open in May as a retail centre in addition to the other adventure businesses in town owned by the same family.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 definitely a financial hit, but thereB次元官网网址檚 nothing we can do now but move on,B次元官网网址� said Julseth. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檒l still have bicycles, whale watching, a Frisbee golf course, kayaks, Renfrew Pub, Coastal Kitchen and the Seaside Cottages, weB次元官网网址檒l still have everything, we just wonB次元官网网址檛 have that one facility.B次元官网网址�
He said the building was a lovely asset to their B次元官网网址渕aster planB次元官网网址� but luckily it was not their main focus and now they will just use temporary facilities until that one is replaced.
B次元官网网址淭he last thing I want is anyone thinking we arenB次元官网网址檛 operational. We are still open, this is just a bump in the road,B次元官网网址� Julseth said.
The fire finally smouldered out at approximately 5 pm the next day, and inspectors say it was likely caused by an electrical shortage.
