A serious fire has destroyed the Christopher Lake Heritage Hotel and Bar.
Reports of the blaze came in before 9 a.m.
As the fire spread to engulf the roof structure the Buckland Fire Dept was called in to assist Lakeland Fire Dept in the suppression efforts.
The flames and smoke were clearly visible from the highway and traffic was re-routed in the village.
(Submitted photo/Ashley Marie)It was not immediately clear if the fire started in the bar area.
paNOW reporter on scene Michael Joel Hansen said one part of the building was gone and parts of the remaining walls on the other side were coming down as well.
Several locals watched the fire unfold. Betty Ann Bird said it started around 8:30 a.m.and motorists could see things as they were heading off to work or taking the kids to school.
“They were trying to put it out but it’s gone,” she told paNOW. “Oh my God, that thing is a heritage site for here.”
Bird figured the bar and the hotel, which had gone through various expansions over the years, had been around for decades.
panews@jpbg.ca
On Twitter:@princealbertnow
