Fire damages St. Andrews landmark - Jun. 08, 2010
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Photo courtesy of Scott Biggs
St. Andrews firefighters struggle to contain a blaze that erupted at the Blue Moon Hotel Saturday morning.
BY JOHN GARDNER
john@stcroixcourier.ca
ST. ANDREWS –The Blue Moon Motel, a fixture on Mowatt Drive since 1967, suffered major damage early Saturday morning, as fire swept through the motel.
The call was received at 4:05 a.m. by the St. Andrews fire department. At that time, the northern end of the main section was fully engulfed by flames, with the flames threatening to move through the rest of the building or leaping to adjoining properties.
Deputy fire chief Danny Bartlett credited the assistance of the Oak Bay Fire Department for saving a large portion of the building.
“If Oak Bay hadn’t been here we may have lost the whole building. Having the extra manpower helped immensely.”
As it was, Bartlett estimated that 12 units were lost in the blaze.
The property was built by Don McLaren in 1967, and purchased in 1972 by Charles Lankisch. His son Gordon and Gordon’s wife Kim assumed ownership about 10 years ago and currently own it.
“It is devastating. My wife and I worked like dogs for over 30 years,” said Charles.
“I couldn’t find any words. I couldn’t understand it.”
Neighbours experienced a few anxious hours as the building continued to burn.
Mayor John Craig and his wife, Debbie, live across the street from the property, and were awoken a little after 4 a.m. as their daughter Christine – a firefighter - rushed from the house.
“I heard the pager, and it said the exact number on Mowatt Drive but it just didn’t register,” said John.
Once downstairs the couple could clearly see the spectacle playing out across the street.
“We could hear it snapping and cracking and the whole thing lit up over there.”
Craig commented on the loss of an establishment such as the Blue Moon would mean for the town.
“We are expecting a very busy summer and we need as many accommodations as we can we get. It is very unfortunate, not only for Gordon and Kim who own the business but for the town and county too.”
The property was scheduled to open for the season on June 7.
The owners could not be reached for comment.
At this point, the fire is still under investigation.
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