Questions about the fire that destroyed the historic Tudor House Pub in Esquimalt on Tuesday may never be answered, Esquimalt Fire Chief David Ward says.
The 109-year-old landmark — a meeting place for soldiers and sailors over two world wars, and the birthplace of Esquimalt township — was reduced to a shell after flames swallowed the wood-frame building.
“At the end of the day, we may not be able to find a cause,” Ward said Thursday. “We’ll know better tomorrow.”
Ward blamed a number of factors, including the intensity of the blaze, the amount of damage and the need to use excavators to tear down the remaining walls to make the scene safe.
During the blaze, the top two floors of the six-storey building collapsed into the basement.
“It could be the fire has damaged much of the usable evidence and what evidence is left may have been damaged by making the scene safe,” said Lt. Troy Saladana, an Esquimalt fire investigator.
A police investigation has ruled out any malicious or suspicious cause for the fire, Saladana said.
North West Environmental Group Ltd., an occupational health and safety consulting company, was on scene Thursday conducting air and water quality tests. WorkSafe B.C. and the Capital Regional District are also involved, Ward said.
Saladana said environmental testing has determined that the site is within accepted levels.
Crews will return today to continue their investigation, Saladana said.
Meanwhile, Tim Dumas, the pub’s general manager, has turned his focus to helping about two dozen staff find new jobs. Dumas said he has been calling and visiting pubs and business owners to find placements for his employees.
“The only thing I can do is pound the pavement and hit the phones and call everyone I know,” Dumas said.
“There are some really good people here and something will work out for them.”
A benefit concert by Montgomery County country rock band will be held at the Esquimalt Legion on Sept. 2 to raise money for those employees who lost their jobs.
And God willing, Dumas said, the company will be able to rebuild on the lot.
“We have every intention of rebuilding and keeping this location as a pillar of the community in Esquimalt.”
Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins welcomed new development.
Everyone would like to see more activity on Esquimalt Road from the Tudor House corner on Esquimalt and Admirals roads to city hall and the village project, Desjardins said.
“It’s a definitive corner in Esquimalt, so the potential for that site is just phenomenal,” the mayor said.
Construction of the original building began in 1902, and it opened May 5, 1904. Eight years later, in 1912, the municipality was incorporated in its dining hall.
“It was heritage — you can’t save that but there is so much more you can save to remember the history that has gone on in that corner of Esquimalt,” Desjardins said.
B.C. government documents show the property is jointly owned by Dirty Digger Holdings Ltd. (formerly known as Jadwiga Holdings) and Rambo Management Ltd.
The assessed value of the building is $2.588 million, B.C. Assessment records say. The property covers 45,813 square feet.
