Investigators and police have been on the scene of a fire that destroyed a historic structure in Deer Lake since Saturday. The Driftwood Inn caught fire around 7 a.m. that day and nearby volunteer firefighters from surrounding communities of Pasadena, Cormack and Reidville battled the blaze for hours with the Deer Lake Fire Department. Premier Andrew Furey is also the MHA for the Humber Valley. He says it “was both spectacular and inspirational to see everyone show up to help.” The Premier added that “they’re still doing an inventory on who was impacted by losing a place to live as a result of the fire and government will be there to help.” He has assured the town of Deer Lake of such and asked the housing department to get involved. Meanwhile, Local resident Sharon Young lives on 6th Avenue in the town and says she was woken by the sound of sirens and could see the smoke from where she lives. Young says she “has friends who have been employees at the Driftwood Inn for years and it is such a sad time for many.” The Driftwood Inn was the first hotel in Deer Lake and was built in the 1950’s.
Other stories in this CKVB Newscast include the opposition is for a thorough investigation into the Driftwood Inn fire, two Corner Brook RNC officers cleared of any wrongdoing in the death of an inmate last Christmas day, and a local Indigenous writer is on her third children’s book.
With files form Dean Clarke and Lenny Benoit
