‘Devastating loss’: Fire engulfs popular Telegraph Cove boardwalk on Vancouver Island

 Fire crews on Vancouver Island are warning people to stay away from the community of Telegraph Cove where a massive fire has engulfed a popular boardwalk.

Port McNeill Fire Rescue says in a social media post that the fire was still burning under the structure hours after it erupted, making it difficult to extinguish.

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It says onlookers had gathered to watch the blaze on Tuesday morning, hindering crews who needed space to work.

The fire service says teams from the Alert Bay and Hyde Creek fire departments and Port Hardy Fire Rescue were also working on the blaze in the small community about 200 kilometres northwest of Campbell River.

Port McNeill Fire Rescue says the destruction is “a devastating loss to the North Island” and parts of the boardwalk have been lost.

Owners of the Telegraph Cove Resort, Gordie and Marilyn Graham, say the fire destroyed a portion of the boardwalk, the Old Saltery Pub and Killer Whale Café, the Wastell Manor heritage house, the educational Whale Interpretive Centre, Prince of Whales offices, and staff housing.

The Grahams say the loss of their home, history, and legacy is heartbreaking.

“My wife and I are nearing retirement. We are devastated to witness our life’s work, which I milled and built with my own hands, go up in flames.  While we are grateful that no one was harmed in the fire, we are experiencing one of our worst nightmares,” Gordie Graham wrote Tuesday.

The cause of the fire is reportedly under investigation by local authorities.

The resort had been closed since October, the Grahams say, and no guests were on site at the time of the fire.

David Summers, director of the Mount Waddington Regional District, said the loss of the Whale Interpretive Centre was a tremendous blow. 

“That whale museum, I mean, it was spectacular. It had the skeletons of every kind of whale and sea mammal and sea lion … people come from all over the world to go there,” said Summers.

Summers, 72, said he also has many fond memories of working as a fishing guide in his 20s at Telegraph Cove.

He said the district was hoping for government help to rebuild.

Longtime Alert Bay resident Rob Campbell said the flames and smoke were visible from his community across the water from Telegraph Cove.

“It totally was like they were burning forest slash,” Campbell said.

“It’s a horrific loss, all the antiques and heritage stuff that was lost in the museum (there) … It’s devastating for the folks down there.”

Telegraph Cove is a permanent home to only a couple dozen residents, but those numbers swell to hundreds during the summer tourism season.

“There is no access to the property and we kindly request that you do not attempt to enter the property for safety reasons,” said the resort website.

The Alert Bay Fire Department shared video and photos of its battle with the blaze, saying they were first alerted to “structure fires at Telegraph Cove” at 7 a.m. Crews could be seen fighting the fire from the water and later from the damaged boardwalk itself. Port McNeill Fire Rescue said that the fire had burned under the structure hours after it erupted, making it difficult to extinguish.

“We deeply appreciate the efforts of the first responders and the ongoing support of our community during this challenging time,” Telegraph Cove Resort said in its statement.

Telegraph Cove was established to serve the commercial fishing and timber industries in 1912 but the Grahams turned it into a popular tourism destination, and a base for whale-watching and bear-watching tours, kayaking, fishing and camping.

“It’s going to take years to rebuild what they had,” Campbell said.

The resort’s statement said the Graham family “acknowledges it will take time and support to recover.”

“Telegraph Cove has always been a place of connection and renewal. While today we mourn, we also look to the future with hope. My phone is ringing steadily with messages of support and community members checking in on us. We appreciate every message,” said Marilyn Graham.

—With files from Charles Brockman