(MEAGHAN ARCHER / iNFOnews.ca)
July 14, 2014 - 12:26 PM
KEREMEOS - The 100-year-old Red Bridge Pub in Keremeos went up in flames this morning and firefighters continue to put out hot spots into the afternoon.
All staff from the Keremeos Fire Department are on scene, plus one truck and five firefighters from Kaleden and Osoyoos. No other structures are endangered at this time but staff at the Valu-Plus Foods next door have evacuated.
An excavator was brought in to demolish the building at 715 7 Street.
Firefighters are still working to put out the fire. They will begin an investigation once the fire is out.
Some local residents and business owners say the destruction of the hotel, pub and liquor store will be a great loss to the community, since it was one of the town's most popular gathering spots. They said the loss of jobs and sales from the three businesses will not help the town's economy.
The building was constructed in 1914 and has been a longstanding part of the community's heritage.
To contact the reporter for this story, email Meaghan Archer at marcher@infotelnews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2014