UPDATED – A fire that destroyed the old clubhouse on the former golf course in Townsite on Wednesday afternoon, October 26, was “absolutely suspicious,” said Terry Peters, Powell River Fire Rescue deputy chief.
Every available Powell River firefighter battled the blaze that broke out just after 3 pm. Huge clouds of smoke poured from the old building located in the 5500 block of Marine Avenue and drifted out over the Strait of Georgia as flames broke out in different areas inside.
Emergency personnel were on the scene, but no one was reported injured. RCMP closed Marine between Hawthorn and Dogwood streets to traffic both ways as firefighters continued to battle the flames into the night. Crews remained on the scene until 12:30 am fighting hot spots and small fires that flared up over the evening. A watch was set up overnight. The ruins were still smouldering the next morning.
The fire was aggressive in nature throughout the building, Peters said. “It was very difficult to fight.” he said. “Because it was a vacant structure, we had a no entry policy with our crews. We didn’t want to put anyone in harm’s way. Of course, that makes it difficult to fight, because we can’t get at the base.”
The building was empty and was not connected to any services. The fire appeared to have started in multiple locations in the building, Peters also said. An investigation has been launched into the cause of the fire.
This is the third suspicious fire in Powell River since the end of September. Peters said officials have had their eye on the building as well as others in town. “There appears to be suspicious activity going on,” he said.
On September 24, a small shed burned down in the 7000 block of Duncan Street. The fire destroyed the building and RCMP obtained evidence suggesting that people had been at the location a short time before the fire started.
On October 11, a fire broke out in Butler House, a building on Joyce Avenue owned by School District 47 that once had been used as a daycare centre. The discovery of evidence of a propellant at the site and the fact that the fire started from the exterior of the building led police to believe the fire had been set deliberately.
The old clubhouse, which is owned by PRSC Limited Partnership, has been vacant for a number of years, but it had been well used as a gathering place for meetings, parties, weddings and other events.
“I think it is really unfortunate that this has happened, but we’re just really glad that no one was hurt as a result of the incident,” said Scott Randolph, manager of PRREDS (Powell River Regional Economic Development Society), which has a contract to manage PRSC. “We’re really thankful for the work done by the Powell River firefighters on the site.”
Fire department officials have some work to do at the location over the next few days, Randolph added. “But as soon as we are able to get on the site, we’ll be working to clean it up and making it safe,” he said.
Originally named the Sallie Scanlon Lodge, the old clubhouse was constructed in 1929. Michael J. Scanlon, vice-president of the Powell River Company, donated it to the Powell River Golf Club. The clubhouse was officially opened in May 1929 during a visit by Shaughnessy golfers to Powell River.
The August 1929 issue of the Digester contained a description of the building. “The new club house, built on the bungalow plan, and commanding from its wide veranda an uninterrupted view of the Gulf, has been a boon to local golfers. It is a building of which they are justly proud, and upon which visiting golfers have highly commended them. With the tastefully decorated lounge room, and the spacious veranda open to the sweep of cooling breezes from the sea, the ‘Bungalow’ has justified the decision of the club, and generally rendered membership in the club more attractive.
“In addition to the lounge room, the new house contains the quarters of Mr. Boxall, club professional, and his wife. A spacious locker room is included.”
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