Death of a Dear Friend
Pilot Mound Hotel Consumed By Fire
Monday June 13, 2005
At approximately 4:30 am, smoke emerging from an unused chimney of the Pilot Mound Hotel caught the attention of the Winnipeg Sun Courier delivering papers to this community of 750 people just 12 miles north of the US border. He alerted 911 and the local fire crew arrived within minutes. It's reported they discovered and extinquished a fire in the basement.
The fire crew was suspicious of creepers in the walls and continued to investigate the building for hot spots. One fire fighter was taken to hospital for smoke inhalation.
Around 7:45 AM, a plume of smoke appeared on the roof of the 101 year old, 3-story brick building - the last of it's kind in southern Manitoba.
Shortly thereafter, a small fire broke out on the roof which firemen were able to keep under control for some time. Unfortunately, the flames were fuelled by roof tar and the loss of the building was inevitable.
While fire fighters continued to keep the fire contained to the hotel, attention turned to their safety and to the protection of businesses in close proximity to the fire.
Several local fellows with half-ton trucks assisted the owners of Heppner's Garage to move it's contents to safety. The garage is located 3-4 short feet north of the hotel.
Embers driven by strong north winds endangered Dobson Foods and David Glenn's building across the street along with Banman Jewellers, Smith's Florists, Sentinel Courier, Westoba Credit Union & Canada Post.
The wind forced smoke down to street level, pushing it along South Railway to the car wash. RCMP checked residences along the street to make sure occupants had not succumbed to the smoke. Businesses were forced to close along Railway in both directions from the hotel, and school was dismissed when Manitoba Hydro cut the town's power for the firemen's safety.
The firemen did an excellent job of containing the fire to the hotel, placing themselves at risk by getting onto the hotel roof when the fire subsided somewhat, and on Heppner's garage roof as well.
By 3 pm the exhausted fire crews had the fire nearly out. Dobson's Foods provided sandwiches throughout the day, Simply Natural supplied water, & and members of the community brought down soup to feed the fellows.
Fire crews assisted from La Riviere, Crystal City, Swan Lake and Pembina-Manitou.
Until something like this happens, our volunteer fire-fighters are not fully appreciated for the time & expense they put in for training, committment and dedication. Our hats go off to these fellows, and to the ERS team present, as well as farmers, Windy Bay Colony, & Double Diamond who supplied water when the town's became low.
Demolition began Friday evening with the arrival of a wrecking-ball crane. By day's end Saturday, the third story was knocked in. Sunday a back-hoe arrived, and demolition was completed Monday.
Several photos courtesy: Glen & Margie Anderson, Ben Peterson & Kelly Morrow.
Cyndy & Phillip are NOT burning garbage!
Fire emerges on the roof around 9AM.
Fire fighters quickly get a second hose on the flames
Doubled efforts attempt to douse the flames.
Fire fighters gain control....
...however, the flames persist.
Tar on the roof fuels the flames....
... and the fire consumes the roof.
Fire fighters are ordered to move out of danger, and focus on saving Dobson Foods and Dave Glenn's.
Concern rises for the business south of the hotel.
Their proximity can be seen in this photo from the rear of Graham's Funeral Home.
Black smoke from the roof tar is pushed down to street level by wind.
The smoke could be seen for miles.
RCMP block off the street from the post office.
Spectators along Broadway watch in amazement & horror.
Fire fighters are determined to keep the fire under control from upwind.
Water trucks are lined up & ready to help at the fire's worst. Co-op's fuel truck sits ready to refuel fire & water trucks.
Fire is under control at the front of the building, while the rear continues to taunt fire fighters....
...as seen here.
Part of the north wall of the building has collapsed, the remainder threatening Heppner's Garage.
Until the fire, many people had not noticed this gap in the second and third floors.
Deceptively quiet hotel front the day after.
As seen from Dobson's.
The building's south side.
Back of the building.
Extent of the damage can be seen through this rear window.
Subsequent eruptions of flames on Wednesday & Thursday finally caused destruction on the main floor. Firefighters broke the dining room window to extinquish the flames.
The firetruck is ready & waiting should sneaky flames erupt again.
Friday evening, Hotel owners Mario & Nicole were offered the opportunity to view their hotel via the crane's basket. The following pictures were taken during their ride.
The full view of the building's destruction
From the back of the building to the front.
Inside the jut, this would be the bar ceiling.
If you could see right down into the bar, you would see the dart game and pool tables.
This appears to be from the center of the building to the front.
This appears to be from the center of the building to the back. The second floor fire escape door is to the left of center.
You can see right down into the bar in this photo, however debris makes it difficult to determine exactly where. Based on other photos, it's most likely right between the two round tables,looking toward the VLT's.
To the left of the jut is the chimney. In the bar, the picture Tracy Nedohin 'autographed' hung on that chimney. This is where the hole into the bar goes.
The chimney is more prominent from this view.