Main building at historic Cape Breton inn burns to ground
The main lodge of a historic inn on Cape Breton’s Bras d’Or Lakes was destroyed by a raging fire early Thursday, taking with it one of the small community’s main employers and a popular site for tourists that dates back to the 1800’s. Councillor Bruce Morrison said he got a call at about 3 a.m. notifying him of a “big fire’’ at the Inverary Resort in Baddeck, a rustic retreat that has been a “cornerstone of the community’’ since it was built in the late 19th century by a Cape Breton man dubbed “Millionaire’’ MacNeil. “It’s a devastating fire for the community,’’ said Morrison, who was born and raised in the village. “For me, it’s tough — it’s one of those icons in our community that has been enjoyed by generations of residents in Baddeck.’’ Plumes of white smoke were still wafting above the charred wreck of the three-storey building that housed the dining room, lobby, pub and several units attached to it in an addition. It’s believed all of the guests and staff got out without injury. Diana Weeks, a reporter for Ontario’s CHCH TV, was staying at the resort and tweeted about her escape. “Our hotel in Baddeck, N.S., is on fire and we’re all outside in our pjs. Good news is, it appears everyone got out safely,’’ Weeks tweeted overnight. “So so sad. Just grateful we got out in time and grabbed our valuables... Such a beautiful historic building.’’ Images and video on social media showed flames consuming the building, which glowed orange in the darkness. One video shows the whole building collapsing in on itself as flames poured out of the windows. Morrison said he didn’t know the fate of a tiny brown chapel on the grounds that was donated to the owners by legendary Toronto Maple Leafs owner Conn Smythe.