UPDATED: Village applauds efforts of local fire departments in battling Salmo Hotel blaze
By Lone Sheep Publishing
Salmo Chief Administrative Officer Ange Qualizza said the Village is overwhelmed with the response of local fire firefighters after fire engulfed the top floor of the heritage building Friday afternoon.
“We pleased with the response of volunteer fire departments,” Qualizza said.
The local Salmo Fire Department with mutual aid assistance from the Regional District of Central Kootenay Ymir Fire Department were quick to respond to save most of the structure that was first built in 1896.
The hotel was destroyed by fire in 1931 before being rebuilt. In 1981 the hotel was revitalized with a new facade.
Qualizza said there were no injuries and does not have a dollar amount on the damages to the hotel.
However, Qualizza said the Salmo Hotel provides a true value to the downtown.
“This is an important building to our downtown and the sooner the better that (Salmo Hotel) can get back on its feet,” Qualizza said.
Message from Village of Salmo:
The Village of Salmo would like to thank all of the residents for reducing water usage today during the structure fire. You can now use the water but we would like to ask that you continue to decrease water usage for the night to allow our reservoir to fill back up.
Please note that the section of Fourth Street between Davies and Railway Avenue will be closed to vehicle traffic overnight (Friday) while they continue to access the situation.
Previous Story:
Fire rips through local hotel in Village of Salmo
Fire has taken out the top floor of the Salmo Hotel Friday afternoon.
A Nelson resident traveling through the Village of Salmo Friday afternoon at approximately 1:30 p.m., said three fire trucks were on scene with a fourth travelling south down Highway 6 to assist.
“A local gentleman said he had just come out of the grocery store and saw flames on the roof,” the Nelson resident told The Nelson Daily Friday afternoon.
“He ran into the bar or lobby to tell people to get out.”
“The fire was at the second level and he says as soon as it broke they or touched the shingles it took off or spread along the whole roof,” he added.
Village of Salmo staff said firefighters from the Village of Salmo and Ymir Volunteer Fire Department attended the fire.
The fire was extinguished later in the afternoon with extensive damage to the top floor of the hotel.
There is also a concern that there may have been damage to the local drug store that is located next to the hotel on Fourth Street.
The original Salmo Hotel building was constructed in 1896, but was destroyed by fire in 1931.
The hotel was rebuilt, and in 1981 was revitalized with a new facade.
A social media post by the Village of Salmo asked residents to conserve water during the fire.
Firefighters battle the blaze Friday afternoon at approximately 1:30 p.m. at the Salmo Hotel. — Submitted photo
Previous Story:
Fire damages local hotel in Village of Salmo
Fire has damaged the top floor Friday afternoon of the local hotel in Salmo.
A clerk at the Village of Salmo confirmed the fire is at the Salmo Hotel, which fire started in the early afternoon of Friday.
An emergency alert posted on the Village of Salmo social media site asked residents to curtail water use.
“Due to a large structure fire, please do not use water as we need to conserve it to battle the blaze,” the social media post said.
The clerk confirmed firefighters from the Village of Salmo and Ymir Volunteer Fire Department are on scene.
Smoke fills the air in the Village of Salmo at the local hotel Friday afternoon. — Submitted photo
A social media post shows flames coming from the top floor of the Salmo Hotel Friday afternoon. — Submitted photo
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