The landmark Peninsula Motor Inn is no more.
A spectacular early morning fire April 11 levelled the hotel. All that remains of the building is a roof overhang. A male occupant of the hotel sounded the alarm and was able to get another man out immediately. A passerby on his way to work helped rescue the other man living in the hotel at the time One person had minor injuries as a result of smoke inhalation.
The drama began with a 4:30 a.m. call to the Roberts Creek Fire Department. Because of the size of the fire the Gibsons Fire Department was also pressed into service.
Roberts Creek fire chief Bruce Searle said the building was three-quarters engulfed in flames when the fire crews arrived. Made of cedar, the building went up like tinder once the fire took hold, according to the first responder on the scene, Sunshine Coast RCMP Const. Jan Campbell.
The owners of the building were in Victoria when the fire happened.
The hotel was built in 1959. Over the years it has been the scene of heated exchanges when booze-fueled tempers got out of control. The building was insured for about $800,000.
The RCMP have brought in an investigator to help determine the cause of the fire. As of press time no cause had been identified.
RCMP are urging the passerby who helped the occupants to contact the detachment at 604-885-2266.
