'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
DEVELOPING 122 active wildfires burning across Canada, 32 considered 'out of control'
The 2024 wildfire season has begun, and it's shaping up to follow last year's unprecedented destruction in kind, with thousands of square kilometres already consumed.
B.C. parents sentenced to 15 years for death of 6-year-old boy
A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has sentenced the mother and stepfather of a six-year-old boy who died from blunt-force trauma in 2018 to 15 years in prison.
Veteran TSN sportscaster Darren Dutchyshen has died
Veteran TSN broadcaster Darren 'Dutch' Dutchyshen, one of Canada’s best-known sports journalists, has died. He was 57. His family says 'he passed as he was surrounded by his closest loved ones.'
Miller scores late as Canucks grind out 3-2 win over Oilers in Game 5
J.T. Miller scored in the final minute of the game and the Vancouver Canucks came back for a 3-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 of their second-round playoff series Thursday.
Think twice before sharing 'heartbreaking' social media posts, RCMP warn
Mounties in B.C. are urging people to think twice before sharing "heartbreaking posts" on social media.
Police issue Canada-wide warrant for Regina homicide suspect
Police have issued a Canada-wide warrant for a man wanted in a homicide which occurred in Regina on May 12.
Trudeau calls New Brunswick's Conservative government a 'disgrace' on women's rights
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assailed New Brunswick's premier and other conservative leaders on Thursday, calling out the provincial government's position on abortion, LGBTQ youth and climate change.
Kevin Spacey receives star support as he fights to get his career back
Kevin Spacey is pushing back on the 'rush to judgment' against him and is being backed by some big names as he seeks to reclaim his acting career.
Speaker cuts ties with Sask. Party, alleges he faced threats, harassment from gov't MLAs
The Speaker of the Saskatchewan Legislature Randy Weekes has severed ties with the Sask. Party after accusing some members of harassment and intimidation tactics, including a situation he claimed saw the Government House Leader bring a hunting rifle to the legislative building.