Fire causes extensive damage to King's Restaurant

King's Restaurant blaze
C. Davis photo

Chris Davis, Pincher Creek Voice

King's Restaurant, located on Main Street, Pincher Creek, was seriously and most likely irreparably damaged in a fire that broke out late yesterday evening, February 7. Approximately 15 Firefighters and EMS from Pincher Creek and Beaver Mines had to contend with biting cold weather and various structural impediments, and at 4 am this morning, February 8, were still putting out hot-spots.  Pincher Creek RCMP also attended and blocked Main Street and Hewetson/Christie Avenues to prevent traffic from entering the danger zone.

Firefighters struggle to douse King's Restaurant blaze last night
C. Davis photo

One individual was in the restaurant when the fire broke out.  He said he thought the fire started in the ceiling towards the front of the structure.  He also said he was in the process of purchasing the building, and was both distraught and pragmatic about the situation unfolding in front of him.  "At least I wasn't asleep," he said.  "If I had been I would probably be dead now." He managed to escape physically unharmed, but a dream may have been shattered last night.  "Why does this have to happen now?" he asked, as it became more and more apparent that the restaurant was being extensively damaged.

C. Davis video

Firefighters quickly contained the blaze enough to protect the surrounding buildings, including the Fox Theatre to the east and the Parent Link building to the west. Cutting a hole in the roof to access the blaze proved to be a dangerous and frustrating challenge, with several layers of roofing material, including a top layer of steel, making that virtually impossible to do.  Flames in the upper walls of the front facade proved to be very difficult to access and extinguish.  Firefighters were forced to remove the affected wall, using a combination of cutting equipment, ropes, and brute force.  Eventually the whole attic was exposed, and they were able to douse the troublesome area, after which several firefighters hosed down the upper area of the building from inside, using a ladder laid across the ceiling for support.

Fire Chief Dave Cox was on scene, but with his crew still working to contain the fire it was not yet time for analysis of the situation beyond getting the fire itself doused.   He said it was a lucky thing that the Fire Hall was so close to the scene, because it meant that containing the fire was more readily accomplished.

The Emergency Services personnel on scene were challenged by the frosty weather, the heat of exertion in a fire situation, frozen water on their apparel, smoke, darkness, and all the hidden dangers of an old and dry structure ablaze.  The fire was stubborn, and took hours to fully contain.  These women and men did a tremendous job in a difficult situation.

Pincher Creek Special Constable Nigel Whittington was also on scene, and said he would be using barricades to block off the area in front of King's and in the rear as well, including the alleyway, as there was a significant amount of debris in the area, so citizens used to parking in the immediate vicinity will probably have to make other plans until the situation is fully resolved.

At this time reports were unclear as to when exactly the fire started, but seems likely to have been between 11 pm and midnight.

Note:  We will follow up on this story with Fire Chief Dave Cox and hopefully the affected businessmen at an appropriate time.