Officials say a large fire at Quaaout Lodge and Spa, a local resort in Chase, British Columbia, has caused significant damage to the building’s guest wing.
Quaaout Lodge is run by the Little Shuswap Lake Band, which is part of the Secwépemc Nation. According to the resort’s website, it was originally conceived by the group in 1979 and created in 1991.
According to the RCMP, emergency workers received a call for a fire in the hut shortly after 8:30 a.m. PT on Sunday. The hut is located about 70 kilometers east of Kamloops, British Columbia in the central part of the interior.
More than 20 firefighters responded to the blaze. Chase Fire Chief Brian Lozon told CBC News he believed the fire started in the attic of the hotel and spread through the roof. No casualties were reported. The cause is still unknown.
A firefighter appears to be trying to put out a blaze in a fire at the Quaaout Lodge and Spa in Chase, British Columbia on May 22, 2022 (Submitted by Dan Thiessen)
“Flames were firing from the ceiling. It looks like the entire third floor was destroyed or at least half of it destroyed,” said guest Dan Thyssen, who was having breakfast in his room when fire alarms went off after 8 a.m.
“I heard the fire alarm and it went on. So I thought, “Okay, something serious,” Thyssen said. “I got dressed and went outside. Then we looked back and the flames started firing from the upper openings and we knew it was serious.”
Thyssen from Kelowna, British Columbia, spoke from the parking lot in front of the hut where other evacuees had gathered. He said some guests played golf during the incident and were unaware of the fire.
This morning we left our rooms and hotel at Quaaout Lodge near Chase, British Columbia. The fire engulfed the main part of the hotel room. The RCMP is still looking for 4 people who think they are left in their cars. pic.twitter.com/RSEJjKDTV3
– @ StedyPhoto
Toronto resident Joel Levy, another guest of the lodge, was in Chase writing a travel article for the region. He said a firewall on one side of the hut prevented the fire from spreading to the lobby and other parts of the resort – something confirmed by Lawson.
Levy was having breakfast at the hotel restaurant when he heard the fire alarms. He said he managed to get away with his belongings, but some guests were unprepared and stayed in their robes. One guest, according to Levy, even lost his wedding ring worth thousands of dollars.
“For most guests … these will be mostly things that can be replaced,” he told CBC News. “But in such a close-knit community, this hut provides so many jobs.
“This is the biggest long-term effect. It is difficult to imagine immediate solutions to this problem.”
According to hotel guest Joel Levy, many guests were not prepared to leave when the fire alarms went off after 8 am (Joel Levy)
According to Thyssen, the fire began to spread very quickly, as the guest wing of the hut is a wooden structure.
“My heart is focused on the indigenous people of the first nation and all that this building means to them,” he said.
According to Thyssen, guests are not allowed to return to the hotel, with officials saying all items in the hut were damaged by fire, smoke or water.
Great Chief Stewart when he heard about the Quuout Lodge fire:
“I liked the Quaaout Lodge! Great food! Local menu! Very good memories. Completely sad day! Our hearts go to Adam’s Lake and the people of Secwepemc. “
– @ UBCIC
According to Kúkpi7 James Toma, head of the Little Shuswap Lake Band, the resort’s conference center and restaurant appear to have escaped most of the fire damage.
Thomas said more details about the fire are expected on Monday.
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