British Columbia·Updated
A devastating overnight fire in the tiny city of Greenwood, B.C., has destroyed a historic church, a vacant elementary school and one home, according to Mayor John Bolt.
No one was hurt in fire that also destroyed vacant elementary school and home, mayor says
Karin Larsen · CBC News
· Posted: May 10, 2024 2:16 PM EDT | Last Updated: 30 minutes ago
Flames engulf St. Jude’s Anglican Church in Greenwood, B.C. (submitted by John Bolt)A devastating overnight fire in the tiny city of Greenwood, B.C., has razed a historic church, vacant elementary school, one home and a neighbouring garage.
“No lives are lost, thank God,” said Greenwood Mayor John Bolt, speaking to CBC Kelowna on Friday morning. “Everything is under control now.”
Firefighters from Greenwood, Midway and Grand Forks attended the fire, which is believed to have started in the 123-year-old St. Jude’s Anglican Church at around 2:30 a.m. PT Friday.
Officials say the cause of the fire is under investigation.
Bishop Lynne McNaughton of the Anglican Diocese of Kootenay said the church has not been used as a site of worship for a number of years. She said half of the property had been turned into a community garden with beehives.
St. Jude’s Anglican Church in Greenwood captured by Google Street View in August 2023. (Google Street View)”There’s not a congregation that’s been displaced by this,” said McNaughton. “Obviously, there’s a shock and sadness about the building.
“I spoke to the local priest this morning … and what she said was that there’s nothing of historical value inside, nothing of monetary value [or] sentimental value.”
McNaughton said the church was not a designated heritage building.
Midway fire chief Mike Daloise said the buildings were fully engulfed when firefighters arrived.
He said crews worked hard to stop the fire from spreading to adjacent homes, although three did sustained heat damage to their sidings.
Firefighters from Greenwood, Midway and Grand Forks attended the fire. (submitted by John Bolt)Firefighters had switched to mop up stage by Friday morning, according to Greenwood Fire Chief Roy Terashita, and were thankful for the food locals were delivering to the site to feed them.
“It was a great effort from all three fire departments,” said Terashita.
Hardy Skott, owner of the Copper Creek Country Store located about a block away from the fire, said things could have turned out much worse.
“This could have burned down the whole town,” said Skott. “Embers were falling from the sky blocks away.”
Skott said he wished officials had alerted residents and business owners when news of the fire broke. He said the area around Greenwood, like many parts of the province, has been extremely dry with a heightened fire risk.
McNaughton said the community was rallying to support the woman who has been displaced by the fire.
“My prayers go out to the person who lost their home,” she said. “I know that the Greenwood community will surround that person and we’ve reached out to [her] to say, ‘what can we do?'”
Greenwood is known as Canada’s smallest incorporated city, with an estimated population of 700. It is located in south central B.C.’s Boundary Region.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Karin Larsen is a former Olympian and award winning sports broadcaster who covers news and sports for CBC Vancouver.
With files from Doug Herbert and Corey Bullock
