Leask says goodbye to a landmark

“He came out of the back door of the hotel in his sock feet,” said Rogerson.

People who live in Leask and those from surrounding communities drove into town to see the scene. Many said it was sad to see their landmark go.

One man said he learned about the fire from Facebook and could see the smoke a long ways off.

“My wife goes to school here, my kids go to school here and I knew it burned, but good thing that fire wall was there otherwise the other neighboring building would have gone down too,” he said.

The stores next door were closed but across the street shops and restaurants were open, while people ducked in to watch.

Also across the street from the smoldering rubble, the fire station became a go-to spot for locals wanting to show their support.

People showed up with a buffet of baking, hot soup and coffee for the firefighters and other community members who worked long hours in very cold conditions dealing with the aftermath of the fire.

“It was just amazing and this is all in the middle of the night, how the people get together so fast,” said Rogerson.

He said the community pulling together so quickly shows just how big a deal the Hotel was to the village.

Hats off to the local firefighters in Leask, but also to the Blain Lake and Shellbrook detachments, said Leask Mayor, Maurice Stieb.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

See more: Leask hotel goes up in smoke

sfroese@rawlco.com

by Stephanie Froese

Leask says goodbye to a landmark

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