DAWSON CREEK, B.C. — A historic hotel that was the heart of the northern B.C. community of Dawson Creek has been destroyed by fire.
The blaze broke out around 5 p.m. Friday at the Alaska Hotel and quickly blanketed the downtown in black smoke.
Mayor Mike Bernier said no one really knows when the old wooden structure was built, although it was believed to have been around since the late 1920s or early ’30s.
“Last night it was quite an emotional time for everybody because people who have lived here for a long time, they were basically hugging and were quite upset,” he said Saturday.
“Most of the newer people in our town, I think, saw that and it gave them an idea of how important it really was.”
He said the cause of the fire does not appear to be suspicious.