Fire ravages old Canadian Northern Hotel in Rainy River
Historic building on Atwood Ave. was built more than a century ago
CBC News
Posted: Sep 10, 2012 7:01 PM ET
Last Updated: Sep 10, 2012 6:55 PM ET
The Canadian Northern Hotel in Rainy River, Ont., was built more than a century ago, but burned down early Monday morning. (Courtesy Veldron Vogan)
A fire has destroyed the landmark Canadian Northern Hotel in the town of Rainy River, Ont., more than 100 years after the structure was built.
The historic building on Atwood Avenue caught fire early Monday morning, said Veldron Vogan, the chief administrative officer for the town of Rainy River, about 300 kilometres west of Thunder Bay.
The hotel was completely destroyed by fire. (Courtesy Veldron Vogan)Ontario Provincial Police said the alarm was called in by passersby at around 7:00 a.m. Vogan was in her office across the street at work when she caught sight of smoke billowing through the old hotel's roof around 8:45 a.m.
"And it just took off from there," she said. "It's gone. The building is completely destroyed."
Fire crews from several neighbouring communities, including in Minnesota, were called in to help control the blaze.
Vogan said the building had a bar downstairs that was still in use, and a couple of guest rooms were rented out.
She said there was no one in the hotel when the fire broke out.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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