The Oromocto Fire Department is investigating a major fire that destroyed the Royal Canadian Legion late Thursday night.

Fire crews were called to the legion located on Restigouche Road around midnight by a bartender who was locking up for the night.

'The facility was an integral part of many groups and organizations and it was a very well used building in the community for sure. So it's quite a loss.'— Richard Cummings, deputy fire chief

When they arrived, firefighters found the back of the building engulfed in flames.

Richard Cummings, the Oromocto deputy fire chief, said the fire was already extending into the roof and was quickly moving through the rest of the building.

Cummings said crews were able to prevent the fire from spreading to other buildings but the legion was destroyed.

"Despite aggressive firefighting tactics, crews were forced to take a defensive stance to prevent fire spread to nearby business. Our first in crews did a really good job in limiting the fire, at least to the one building," he said.

Fire departments from Fredericton, Oromocto and New Maryland helped battle the fire.

Crews remained at the legion on Friday morning extinguishing any remaining hot spots.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, according to the fire department.

The RCMP and province's Office of the Fire Marshall are also investigating the fire, which is being called suspicious.

Tragic loss

The loss of the legion is going to hit the town hard, Cummings said.

"Definitely a tragedy, not only for the legion members but for the community," Cummings said.

'I find it really hard, being a veteran. I can't understand why something like this would happen especially when they suggest that this could be arson.'— Harold Perrin, legion president

"The facility was an integral part of many groups and organizations and it was a very well used building in the community for sure. So it's quite a loss."

Harold Perrin, president of the legion, arrived on the scene shortly after fire crews and said it quickly became clear that nothing could be saved from the building.

Perrin said members just finished a memorial wall for veterans and soldiers who died.

Along with the memorial wall, the legion's pipe band's drums, pipes, and uniforms were all destroyed.

Perrin says the news that the fire may have been started deliberately is especially hard to bear.

"It's really devastating to lose this much. I know I find it really hard, being a veteran. I can't understand why something like this would happen especially when they suggest that this could be arson," Perrin said.

"That makes me feel bad. It makes me feel that someone just wasn't thinking or didn't care. I don't know. But anyway, we'll go on with life, that's all you can do."

Perrin said the legion does plan to rebuild but most of the memorabilia cannot be replaced.