just gets sadder and sadder down here.
Sigh.
Fire guts historic station * * * * Nanaimo lost a piece of its history early on Sunday morning, after fire ripped through the E&N Railway Station.Charred wood and broken glass are all that remain after the blaze that gutted the southwest portion of the 87-year-old building on Selby Street.The flames appear to have started from the building's exterior before spreading to the centre, said Nanaimo Fire Rescue assistant fire chief Ron Dawley."It's still under investigation but I think it's fair to say it is suspicious in nature," he said.The water-soaked building was boarded up Sunday leaving residents wondering what's to become of the station that was still in operation."The damage is very extensive," said Dawley, surveying the charred scene.The E&N Railway Station is one of the city's top six heritage buildings and has both federal and municipal heritage status.Built by the Canadian Pacific Railway Company in 1920, the building is owned by the Island Corridor Foundation. The foundation was considering a major renovation to the station before Sunday's blaze.Mike Frajman, who lives across the street from the charred remains, woke up and saw smoke on the roof at about 4:50 a.m.Within minutes, the fire had quickly taken hold of the shingled roof and wood interior, he said."It was unbelievable," Frajman said. Smoke billowed from the building for well over an hour, as fire crews battled the flames, he said.News of the fire quickly spread throughout the neighbourhood and residents gathered near the train tracks to take pictures and reminisce about the old structure.The decaying state of the building wasn't lost on some residents, who criticized the lack of maintenance in recent years."Nobody seems to care Nanaimo's history is being ignored," said Michael Yaremkewich, who lives nearby.Blake McGuffie, who sits on the city's heritage commission, said while they would like to see the building restored, there is little public money available.He is optimistic the building can be salvaged and restored."Provided it's insured, it creates a wonderful opportunity," he said.The investigation into the cause of the fire continues.MTropea@nanaimodailynews.com250-729-4255Related story, A2© The Daily News (Nanaimo) 2007
It may have not even been insured. Ain't that a hoot? But it's just the south end, folks. Don't worry. I don't know if I mean that statement or not...but right now it feels like I do. This station wouldn't have been in this state of disrepair in the North End...or if any of our 80 million dollars for revitalizing downtown actually included REVITALIZING anything. There would not have been evidence of squatters if it was maintained...there is no sense of history in this town. There is no pride of ownership. It's wearing thin.
Nobody seemed to put this station on the front page before it burned. Nobody puts pictures of the South End on the front page unless it's burning.
Ignore the problems until they burn...that seems to be the policy around here. It's just too bad the only pieces of the real history of Nanaimo are being lost, ignored, overrun by criminal activity, etc., while the Council approves another shopping mall.
I was following a car today with this bumpersticker: "Nanaimo, A Mall in Search of a City. " Touche.
9 comments:
It is sad to see history go up in flames like that. I hate seeing historic structures decaying, too. here, where I live, they put millions into places that should be torn down, b/c they are 'historic' - never mind the fact that they are unsafe...The real buildings rich in history and amazing architecture are left to decay.
Makes no sense to me....
This is so sad to see - the old train station wasn't in so bad a state of disrepair that it was a basket case - I have a feeling that it will probably be replaced by a concrete platform and a trailer for a ticket office (oh wait, I forgot, no ticket office).
That being said, I really feel that the south end is bound to turn around soon - too many decent people are moving down here for it not too.
I hope so, Mike, I really do...there have been so many good people down here for so long, hanging on by their fingernails....
Also, some decent people (moi) are leaving.
People keep saying Nanaimo will get/is getting better, but in the 7 years I've spent on Nob Hill I've only watched it get worse.
I'm outta here!
I was going to post pictures of the train station today, too. Glad you did first. I drove by it today on my way to work and felt so sad. I've never even taken my kids on the train yet. I've been in Nanaimo for 16 years now - over the years I have lived on Milton and on Hecate and we considered buying a house on McLaughry(sp)where J's dad lives, but we ended up buying in the North End. I just haven't seen many changes for the better over the years, and certainly there is more poverty, crime, drugs, all those things you know about. So, I work on Albert St. and drive in every day. It's a shame, because as you say, the only real history Nanaimo has is in the South.
Its very sad to see a piece of history go up in flames, but sadder yet to see it in decay. Our neighboring city of Gary has many places similar to this. It is heartbreaking to see it go since it once was on the cutting edge.
I'm sorry that this has happened. I know how deeply you care about Nanaimo.
It is always sad to see a piece of history go by the wayside. Companies think it is more prestigious to be in new glass buildings than to renovate and upgrade some of the older buildings that have a personality and history. We are loosing a part of our heritage.
It’s the same thing with people. The women prefer the younger, trimmer more chiseled young men than you do us older, more experienced yet wiser men. The least society could do is treat us like champion race housed and put us out to stud after we retire.
That's a shame. It looked like a nice old building.
It was one of the top six heritage buildings in Nanaimo...Shows just were priorities are. I say it should be restored long before the conference center, hotel or any other shopping mall project!
Another thought, maybe letting the station delapitate as it had gives good reason for developers to tear it down and put up some ugly california stucco condos...
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