Two canoes stored in a tent at Loudon Park and Trail were destroyed in an early morning fire on Thursday, Nov. 24. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE

Restored heritage canoes destroyed by fire at Nanaimo’s Loudon Park

Nov 24, 2022 | 12:42 PM

NANAIMO — An early morning fire has completely destroyed two Voyageur canoes valued at around $30,000.

Smoke was reported to 911 after 5 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 24 coming from the south end of Long Lake, near Loudon Park and Trail at the end of Victoria Ave, with an enclosure containing the recently-restored boats in flames.

Ashley Rowe, commodore with the Nanaimo Canoe Kayak Club (NCKC) told NanaimoNewsNOW the boats were a key part of their community programming.

“In the past we’ve had youth Voyageur canoe races and it’s been a way to get membership, generate interest amongst the schools because they can bring their kids down. It is going to be challenging if we don’t have those resources, especially for summer camps and things like that too.”

Rowe said she went through a range of emotions after getting called by another club member around 6 a.m., including “heartbreak, disappointment, sadness, anger, worry.”

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Each boat was over 50 years old.

The canoes were restored by club members over the last year after sitting out in the elements for a good portion of the last decade.

Rowe said it was clear the boats were perfect for new paddlers to get introduced to the sport and should have been used more regularly.

“The community partnership piece, which is what we were using these boats for a great deal, that’s going to limit our ability. We do have one dragon boat we are able to access that Berwick’s kindly letting us store at their wharf.”

Around a dozen cans and other debris was left on scene of the fire. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Rowe said it’s not clear what the next steps for the club will be.

The outcome of an insurance claim will determine whether NCKC needs to fundraise money to replace the boats.

Rowe added they’re hopeful the proposed Loudon Park activity centre and boat house will help provide a little more stability for the club and include spaces they can store their boats in a more secure location.

Nanaimo Fire Rescue was originally paged out to a burning complaint along the Island Hwy., however quickly diverted to Loudon Park.

One engine responded and dealt with the fire quickly, with crews running a single hose line and dousing the remaining flames within a minute.

Little fire damage extended to surrounding trees and bushes, including overhanging branches from pine trees.

Nanaimo Fire Rescue Capt. David Dales confirmed there was “no blatantly obvious sources of heat” to explain the cause of the fire and it was immediately deemed suspicious in nature.

He added much of the material covering the structure and the canoes inside had already burned by the time crews arrived, leaving just some light flames to douse.

Nanaimo RCMP assumed control of an investigation and told NanaimoNewsNOW it’s believed to be an unintentional fire caused by at least one person staying in the structure.

No injuries have been reported stemming from the incident.

A third canoe, under a tarp nearby the other two, was only lightly damaged with the tarp melting in places. It has yet to be restored. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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alex@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @alexrawnsley