'It was terrifying': Fire destroys gas station, repair shop in Bowser, B.C.
More than 60 firefighters from five departments battled a blaze that destroyed an Esso gas station in Bowser, B.C., on Tuesday evening.
According to Bow Horn Bay fire Chief Clayton Bucoviz, the first 911 calls started coming in at 9:56 p.m.
"Initial reports came in that we had flames about 30 metres in the air," Bucoviz says. "I would put it higher than that. My guess is probably closer to 40 metres in the air, full flames, sparks."
It appears the fire started inside a vehicle that was parked in one of the service station's service bays and flames quickly spread throughout the building, threatening nearby homes.
"This is probably the biggest fire that I've had in this area but suppression efforts were fantastic by all five departments," Bucoviz says. "Everyone worked terrifically in conjunction with each other."
In addition to the burning building, the chief says there were other dangerous factors they had to contend with, including power lines that were dropping onto the property.
Fiber optic cables were destroyed, wiping out cable and internet service for communities on northern Vancouver Island.
"Gas tanks were fully involved, propane tanks just tucked in behind the buildin, fully involved," the fire chief says. "Suppression efforts immediately were put onto the building and the propane tanks for the safety of the firefighters and the neighbouring community."
Michelle Bruhn lives near the station and says the loss of the business is devastating to the Bowser community.
"We're such a small community that it's kind of the heart of our community. So it's nice that they were able to get it under control as well as they did."
She says the flames were massive when she first came upon the scene
"It was terrifying, in a sense, because it was so big. When we first got here it was incredibly big and they managed to get it under control in, I guess, within an hour," Bruhn says.
Bruhn's husband Reine worked at the service station many years ago.
"There's not much left of the service station," he says. "It's pretty much gone. It's unfortunate."
The owner, who apparently purchased the business within the past few years, declined to discuss the fire Wednesday.
"The young owner is such a wonderful fellow and our hearts just went out to him," Bruhn says. "It's been here forever since I can recall. It's going to be sad to see it go."
A trailer located behind the station was evacuated, along with a nearby home, according to the fire chief. He says he and his fire department are familiar with the service station and its owner.
"This is where our department fills up, or did fill up our fuel for many, many years," he says.
Along with gas and automotive repairs, the service station also operates three tow trucks that are affiliated with BCAA.
"It's been here a long time it's a staple of the community," Bucoviz says. "I don't think there's a person in the community that doesn't know the actual establishment."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.