Fire officials are still searching for answers after a fire gutted the former Tidebrook Hotel.
The main building of the once proud hotel was reduced to a charcoal smoking ruin on Saturday night.
One witness reported seeing people entering in and out of the building at various times and even taking shelter in the basement during the nights. However, there were no injuries or fatalities reported Port Alberni Fire Chief Tim Pley said. No cause has been determined and the fire remains under investigation, he added.
Pley wouldn't say that the building is a write off. "But it has been extensively damaged," he said.
The fire broke out sometime before 9 p.m. and was fully engulfed by 10:30 p.m. Crews from Port Alberni Fire Department battled the blaze and rural departments were ready to support as part of a mutual aid agreement.
The building was owned by Jack Purdy and was recently part of a City of Port Alberni tax sale in September.
The hotel portion of the Tidebrook was located on the backside of the property and was torn down following the fire in January.
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