An early morning fire has gutted the building containing the Sweet Ash Bistro and Smith's Antiques in Lone Butte.
The fire began early in the morning of Wednesday, Sept. 18 with members of the Lone Butte Volunteer Fire Department and 100 Mile Fire Rescue responding at 2 a.m. Despite their efforts the blaze ultimately consumed both businesses and gutted the historical building. Members of the LBVFD were still on scene several hours later ensuring the fire was completely extinguished.
The loss of the two businesses will be felt by the entire community according to Amalia McGlashan, a Lone Butte resident and owner of the High Ground Cafe. She noted that the building has been a pillar of the community for decades.
"That building and everything in it has been a foundation for this community for quite some time, even before it was the Sweet Ash Bistro," McGlashan explained. "I think it's one more blow to this community which we will never really get back, which is a shame because that building does have some history. A lot of people enjoyed going there as Sweet Ash Bistro and before that. Not being able to venture through the antique shop and see all that old stuff in there will be a shame."
Thalia Rajala, the Sweet Ash Bistro's restaurant manager, said she and bistro owners Lee and Caitlin McNish have been left in shock by the fire. Caitlin found out about the fire at 6 a.m. through social media before calling Rajala and long-time employee Ashley Herrett to tell them what had happened. Rajala said they all gathered and watched the LBVFD extinguish the fire which was a "surreal experience."
"Four years of blood, sweat and tears (the owners) have put into that business, reduced to ash and smoke," Rajala said. "It's a huge loss not only for us but the community as well."
When asked what caused the fire Rajala said she did not know and that the cause of the fire would be under investigation in the coming days. 100 Mile House RCMP Sgt. Brian Lamb confirmed that officers attended the fire and are currently investigating its cause. He noted no one was inside the building at the time of the fire. Lamb invites anyone with information on the fire to contact RCMP at 250-395-2456.
McGlashan expressed concerns that the building won't be able to be rebuilt, like the old Lone Butte Hotel. The hotel was a historic building in Lone Butte that was neighbours with the bistro's building until 1998 when it also burnt down. Due to new building codes, however, they were unable to rebuild the hotel because it was too close to the highway, McGlashan said, so there wasn't enough space.
While it's still too early to know if the building can or will be rebuilt, McGlashan said she hopes in the meantime the community comes together to support the business owners who have lost everything in the fire.
"I hope our community can bind together and stand behind the owners of that building and both the businesses and help them because they're going to need help," McGlashan said.
Rajala said the immediate plans of those who worked at the bistro are to focus on supporting and helping their sister store in 100 Mile House, Sinister Subs, grow. She added they hope the community will continue to support them during this time.
"Sweet Ash has become such a staple in the South Cariboo. The food they have been putting out over the last four years is second to none in this area. They're going to be very missed and it's a big loss," Rajala said. "We just wanted to say thank you to everybody for all of the support, kind words and offers of assistance in any way, shape or form. It means a lot to us."
The 100 Mile Free Press has reached out to the Lone Butte Volunteer Fire Department for comment. As of Tuesday, Sept. 24, they have not returned the Free Press's calls. At this time the cause of the fire still remains under investigation.
