Gas, electricity eliminated as causes of Brass Kettle fire

Jan 6, 2018 | 9:30 AM

KAMLOOPS — UPDATE — No word from fire investigators yet on a possible cause of a blaze Friday night that destroyed an old restaurant building at the intersection of Pacific Way and Hugh Allan Drive.

The fire broke out late Friday afternoon at the building, which has been boarded up for several years.

Fire crews spent about 12 hours at the scene, making sure the fire was completely out, but inspectors couldn’t get in right away because the building was still too hot to enter Saturday.

There is a suspicious aspect to the fire. There was no gas, hydro or water to the building, and fire officials say they’re investigating other possible causes.

The building had been used off and on by squatters and homeless people , but there were no reports of people in the area at the time the fire broke out.

The building is best known as the home of the old Brass Kettle restaurant, but had undergone several ownership and name changes since it last went by that name. 

 

EARLIER — Fire investigators are getting a late start investigating Friday night’s massive blaze that destroyed the old Brass Kettle restaurant in Aberdeen. 

Kamloops Fire Rescue Platoon Captain Dave Ferguson says the building was unsafe to enter this morning due to the extreme heat. 

“I’m not sure when investigators will get into it, they’ll have to wait until it cools down a bit, and make sure it’s completely out.” 

Fire crews spent approximately 12 hours at the site, ensuring there were no new flare ups once the fire had been extinguished. 

While a cause has yet to be determined, Ferguson says there is a suspicious aspect to the fire. 

“It would be suspicious in that something started it, because there was no gas or Hydro to the structure.” 

The building was previously boarded up, and there are no reports of anyone in the area at the time the fire started.