A person of interest has been identified in relation to a fire at a local lodge Friday night that has devastated a small central Alberta community.
On Tuesday, an official with Clearwater Regional Fire Rescue confirmed to Global News the cause of a blaze in Leslieville, Alta. has been determined to be arson. Leslieville is a community of fewer than 250 people located about 35 kilometres east of Rocky Mountain House.
Just after 7 p.m. Friday, fire crews were called to the Elks Lodge.
Fire crews arrived on scene about 17 minutes later to find the building engulfed in flames. Clearwater Regional Fire Rescue chief Steve Debienne said the back storage building was fully engulfed and the flames had entered the eaves of the building.
“Unfortunately the fire got too deep-seeded and the conditions were non-favourable at -42 degrees, so it really caused some issues for fire crews on scene,” Clearwater Regional Fire Rescue chief Steve Debienne said Saturday morning.
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About 42 firefighters from four neighbouring fire crews were involved in the fight at the peak of the blaze. As of 10 a.m. Saturday, the fire was under control but still hadn’t been fully doused.
Debienne said the bitterly cold temperatures, coupled with the fact Leslieville doesn’t have a hydrant system, made the firefight very challenging.
“The minute you have a stoppage of water, your hoses freeze up. It’s very difficult with the firefighters — they’re freezing up and they’re getting cold. We have to cycle our crews through to try and keep them out of the elements the best we can,” he explained.
“When you’re spraying water, you’re getting wet and when it’s this cold, it freezes almost instantly.
“We’ve got some of our trucks that have broken gauges and some valves that were frozen up. It’s just all around very difficult fighting fires in that type of weather.”
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Rocky Mountain House Search and Rescue brought a heater trailer to the scene to provide shelter for the firefighters. The community hall across the street also opened its doors for the crews to get out of the elements.
The building is a total loss. The fire chief said the loss will be devastating for the community.
“Listening to the people talk last night, this has been a staple of their community for many, many years. The Elks have done a fantastic job of supporting community initiatives and anytime you lose a building of this magnitude, it definitely is felt throughout the whole community.”
The update on Wednesday gave no further information about the person of interest or the investigation; police only said the investigation “is progressing.”
The Elks of Canada have more than 250 lodges in communities across Canada.
Debienne said it is too early to say what caused the fire, but crews have “deemed the fire to be suspicious in nature.” The scene has been turned over to the RCMP.
The fire was still smoking in some areas late Saturday afternoon. Debienne said the scene will be held until Tuesday, when fire crews will return to continue their investigation.
Police are now looking to the public to assist with the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the Rocky Mountain House RCMP at 403-845-2882 or call a local police detachment. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers online or by calling 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
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