Photo credit Ellwyn Behm
Anguish and gratitude are the two emotions hitting Admaston-Bromley Mayor Michael Donohue in the wake of the fire that destroyed a township landmark. Donohue says he’s extremely grateful that no residents or emergency responders were harmed in the fire that consumed the Douglas Trading Post and the Douglas Diner Monday night. The blaze, which began around 8 o’clock, took all night for local firefighters to fight, with the help of neighbouring fire departments from Bonnechere Valley, Renfrew, Horton, Greater Madawaska and Whitewater. Donohue says so many people are struck by the loss of this historic building, which for generations was the Douglas Tavern, a place renowned far and wide for its annual St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. He felt the loss as he watched the 142 year old building burn down.
Donohue says it struck him that the very timbers that burned last night were probably growing before the first settlers even arrived in the area.
While the Trading Post and Douglas Diner had become so important to the community in recent years, people are understandably also mourning the loss of the former Douglas Tavern. It was even once home to the township’s own fire chief.
While an official cause of the fire has not yet been determined, Fire Chief Bill McHale is quoted as saying that it is not considered suspicious. Donohue says he hasn’t spoken to the owners yet about their future plans but his hope is that they will rebuild the Trading Post and Diner, as the businesses were an important part of the community.
Written by: Cindy Clyne
Photo courtesy of Ellwyn Behm
