Fire destroys part of historic Telegraph Cove boardwalk

Part of the historic boardwalk at Telegraph Cove on Vancouver Island has been destroyed by a large fire, the Port McNeill Fire and Rescue Department said Tuesday morning.

The latter issued a public safety advisory asking people who go to the area to observe the fire to stay away, as it may hamper the efforts of firefighters.

This is a devastating loss for the north of the islandwrote the fire department on social networks.

A photo of the fire shows what appears to be a restaurant engulfed in flames. The cause of the fire has not been communicated.

The art gallery of Telegraph Cove said she was not affected by the fire.

At 5:20 [mardi] morning, the flames were beyond the trees. Everyone in the community helped each other to wake up residents and keep us safe. […] It’s so hard to seeexplains Denise Bastian, co-owner of the art gallery, very moved.

Telegraph Cove is a picturesque village of 20 inhabitants, located about 200 kilometers northwest of Campbell River.

The village as we know it today, with its multicolored buildings and houses lining the coast, was built on a former sawmill, according to the Telegraph Cove Resort.

An approximately 240 m wooden boardwalk was built and the houses and buildings of the old sawmill were restored and are now used to accommodate tourists.

Telegraph Cove was also home to British Columbia’s first whale watching company, which began operations in 1980.

With information fromAlexander Wauthy