A view from behind of what remains of the Whiskey Creek Co-op following a devastating fire on Thursday, Jan 11. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

huge loss

‘It’s really sad:’ Whiskey Creek service station flattened in non-suspicious fire

Jun 18, 2021 | 12:40 PM

WHISKEY CREEK — Fire officials believe a damaging blaze which destroyed the Whiskey Creek Co-op service station was accidental.

Lt. Theresa Benoit with Coombs-Hillers Volunteer fire department said the mid-afternoon fire on Thursday, June 17 is believed to have started at a car by a fuel pump.

“From there it spread to the canopy over the fuel pumps and into the front of the convenience store and from there it spread to the rest of the building,” Benoit told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Nobody was injured in the blaze.

“Staff at the service station were quick-thinking and shut off the fuel pumps and got everyone evacuated from the building. There were no injuries to any staff or the public.”

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Benoit said the gas bar, adjoining convenience store and storage suite above appear to be complete write-offs as the result of substantial fire, smoke and water damage.

The Whiskey Creek Co-op and its adjoining convenience store is now unrecognizable. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

At least three vehicles near the fuel pumps were destroyed.

An investigation to pinpoint the cause is underway, but Benoit stressed it is not believed to be suspicious.

More than 50 firefighters from numerous mid island fire departments responded to the massive fire producing thick plumes of smoke billowing into the air visible from several kilometers away.

Hwy. 4 through Whiskey Creek was closed for several hours stranding thousands of motorists since no detour was available.

Longtime Whiskey Creek resident Kirk Peebles, who lives across the street and witnessed nearly all of the fire, said fireworks sold on-site added to a hectic scene.

“It was pretty loud with a lot of bangs and booms. It sounded like propane tanks exploding maybe, I’m not sure. Tires blowing up on vehicles, it was pretty loud.”

Peebles said the Whiskey Creek Co-op was a valued, longstanding local business. He said it is especially busy in the spring and summer months due to its famous ice cream.

He was among several locals surveying the damage with charred remains leaving noticable stench in the air.

“It has a lot of people shook up, a lot of the local kids work here. It’s an economic generator for the community. It’s sad, really sad,” Peebles said.

An excavator was on scene Friday to begin clean-up, while crews with Telus and BC Hydro tended to their respective damaged infrastructure.

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ian@nanamioenwsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes