'It was horrifying': Fire destroys couple's business, home northwest of Edmonton
The owners of a general store in the hamlet of Blue Ridge, Alta., are safe after escaping the burning building Saturday night.
“We heard our mom saying like fire and then... and then the phone basically cut off,” recalled Rebecca Lee, the daughter of James and Ann, owners of the Blue Ridge General Store.
Lee told CTV News Edmonton her and her sister Brianna were in “hysterics” after the phone call.
“We basically just tried to call everybody we knew in town to see if they could go check up on our parents.”
Blue Ridge has a population of about 211 people and is located approximately 162 kilometres northwest of Edmonton.
'WHAT WAS ONCE A STORE'
Nikita Ganovicheff, communications coordinator for Woodlands County, said firefighters responded to the blaze at around 8:40 p.m. on Feb. 26.
Twenty-three firefighters from Blue Ridge, Anselmo, Goose Lake, Fort Assiniboine and Whitecourt fire departments stayed on site until 1:40 a.m. to manage hot spots and flare ups.
However, the crew from Blue Ridge stayed until Sunday night to ensure the fire was completely out as heavy equipment removed parts of the store.
“It was just horrifying to look at, you know? What was once a store that we were so familiar with,” Lee said of the store and her parents home being a complete loss.
The Blue Ridge General Store is completely destroyed after a fire Saturday night. (Source: CTV News Edmonton's Jeremy Thompson)
Lee said her parents have been part of the community for years making the store a staple for residents.
“It was where everyone just kind of stopped by and said hello and yeah, it was like a little pit stop for everybody.”
“People around here know them as James and Ann.”
While the loss has been devastating, Lee said the community response has been “immediate.”
The neighbouring Blue Ridge Motel even provided them with a place to stay until they can get back on their feet.
“They’ve opened their rooms for our family,” Lee said.
Even though the family is grateful for the continued support, Lee said the immense loss is still sinking in.
“I think they’re super overwhelmed and then they’re super thankful…They’re just trying to process it as best as they could.”
'STOP BY AND REMINISCE'
Jenna Wilson, a librarian, was born and raised in Blue Ridge. She said her first job was at the general store for “many years.”
“We had nights that us kids were allowed to run free in the store, play hide-and-seek, tag, all these things in the store after hours so just so many different memories.”
As a way to preserve some of those memories, Wilson said people have been writing notes in the shape of a heart to the family.
The plan is to laminate each one and hang them on the security fence around the rubble.
“Why don’t we make that a beautiful place where people can stop by and reminisce and see something that’s beautiful instead of something that’s broken and damaged,” she said.
The Blue Ridge General Store is completely destroyed after a fire tore through the building. (Source: CTV News Edmonton's Jeremy Thompson)
As to whether or not the family will rebuild, Rebecca said they would “love to.”
“Obviously we’ll have to see what the circumstances look like and then go from there.”
A GoFundMe has been launched in support of the family and thousands of dollars have been raised so far.
Ganovicheff said the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Jeremy Thompson
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Guilty: Trump becomes first former U.S. president convicted of felony crimes
Donald Trump became the first former American president to be convicted of felony crimes Thursday as a New York jury found him guilty of all 34 charges in a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through a hush money payment to a porn actor who said the two had sex.
Can Trump come to Canada now that he's a convicted felon?
A Canadian immigration lawyer says now that Donald Trump is a convicted felon, he is technically barred from crossing the border into Canada.
Montreal tech billionaire charged with several sex offences
Robert Miller was charged Thursday with several sexual assault charges after Montreal police reopened an investigation into the tech billionaire.
A pair enjoyed pricey meals and bolted when it was time to pay. Their dine and dash ended in jail
A Welsh couple who dined out on pricey meals and bolted when the bill came is now paying the price, behind bars.
Aurora borealis returning to night skies across Canada this Friday: NOAA
If you missed the brilliant displays of the aurora borealis over North America on May 10, you may have another chance to see them on Friday night.
Shell investigating a 'potential cybersecurity incident'
Oil and gas giant Shell says it is investigating a possible cybersecurity 'incident.'
Doug Ford suggests immigrants behind Jewish school shooting
Ontario Premier Doug Ford suggested immigrants are to blame for the shooting of an empty Jewish school in Toronto over the weekend, despite police saying they have little information on the suspects.
NDP wants Liberals to scrap proposed election date change that could secure pensions for many MPs
The federal New Democrats want to amend the Liberal government's electoral reform legislation to scrap the proposal to push back the vote by a week and consequently secure pensions for dozens of MPs, CTV News has learned.
'I didn't think it was real': Oilers fans score free Game 4 tickets from stranger
There's always something to be happy about when the Edmonton Oilers are making good strides in the playoffs, but this is especially true for two lucky fans who were able to enjoy the sights and sounds of Game 4 — for free.