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ShareArson suspected in Mountain Aire Lodge fire
By Laura Tester - Red Deer Advocate
Published: July 22, 2008 1:16 PM
Updated: July 23, 2008 6:35 AM
Arson is suspected in a fire that destroyed the Mountain Aire Lodge near Sundre on Monday.
Cammie Laird, regional fire chief for Clearwater Regional Fire Rescue Services, said the fire investigation has been handed over to Sundre RCMP.
“It is suspicious,” Laird said on Tuesday. “Our findings don’t equate with electrical (causes). It just doesn’t add up at this point — with what we’re seeing for burn patterns.”
The lodge, which was comprised of a restaurant, gas station and convenience store, burned to the ground in about 30 to 45 minutes.
Laird said it’s believed the fire originated in the central part of the building where the kitchen and store were.
The Mustard Seed Street Ministry of Calgary owns the remote property, located on a forestry trunk road 60 km west of Sundre.
The ministry brings out street people to work on the grounds and to rehabilitate from addictions.
Mustard Seed spokeswoman Courtney Fliss said the lodge didn’t allow any smoking inside.
“As far as the guests are concerned, they come from a variety of different backgrounds,” she said. “It’s all about restoring their lives.”
About 25 program participants, along with permanent staff, were living in separate quarters far from where the blaze erupted.
A passerby saw flames and smoke billowing from the lodge and called 911 at about 4:40 a.m. Sundre firefighters were unable to save any part of the structure, which is constructed of wood and concrete blocks.
Damages are estimated at more than $600,000.
The street ministry will be rebuilding.
Fliss said the ministry had planned to “replace the lodge” in the future so it could expand its program out there.
“We want a facility where we could handle up to 40 people,” she said.
Currently, the program accommodates a maximum of 30.
A portable kitchen is already up and running, so that the guests can remain. Tents will be set up as well so people can sit down and dine.
The motel and six campgrounds, which are run by Mustard Seed, are also open for business. They were not affected by the fire.
Contact Laura Tester at ltester@reddeeradvocate.com
