Staff with Fort Steele Heritage Town have released an update following a fire at their cafe and gift shop on Sunday.
General Manager Jessica Marusyk said in a statement the fire caused moderate damage to the east side of the building, including the veranda, along with some smoke and water damage to the building’s interior.
Marusyk adds that the Fort will continue to operate based on its normal hours of operation for this time of year and while the Visitor Reception Centre is being repaired, visitors will be able to access the park through the gatehouse.
All other services normally provided in the reception centre will be relocated to other facilities on site.
Cranbrook RCMP and the provincial fire commissioner are investigating to determine the cause of the fire.
A full statement from Fort Steele Heritage Town can be found below:
On April 30, 2023, at approximately 6:30 PM MDT, Cranbrook Fire Services, Cranbrook RCMP, BC Ambulance and BC Hydro crews responded to a fire at Fort Steele Heritage Town. The fire was limited to the Visitor Reception Centre (the “VRC”) building at the park entrance. The fire caused moderate damage to the east side of the building, including the veranda with some smoke and water damage to the building’s interior. Cranbrook RCMP and the provincial fire commissioner are investigating to determine the cause of the fire. No other property at the site was affected by the fire nor were any of the Fort’s animals harmed.
The good news is that the Fort will continue to operate based on its normal hours of operation for this time of year: 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Wednesday to Sunday (closed Mondays and Tuesdays). While the VRC building is being repaired, visitor access to the park will be through the gatehouse adjacent to the VRC building. All other services normally provided in the Visitor Reception Center will be relocated in the interim to other facilities on the site.
We wish to extend our deep gratitude to Cranbrook Fire Services, Cranbrook RCMP, BC Ambulance and BC Hydro personnel for their response to the fire and helping to contain the damage. We also wish to thank all the many concerned individuals who have contacted us to offer assistance. Your support is sincerely appreciated by board and staff and is indicative of that wonderful sense of community that makes so many love Fort Steele Heritage Town.
On behalf of our board, staff and volunteers,
Kevin Weaver, Chair of the Board
Jessica Marusyk, General Manager
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