A representative for the picturesque village of Telegraph Cove says they will ask for help from the Province to rebuild a key tourist attraction.
Regional District of Mount Waddington/Area D director David Summers says the fire marshall is expected to comb the site today or tomorrow to hopefully determine the cause of the massive blaze on the last day of 2024 that gutted part of the historic boardwalk.
Crews from Port McNeill along with three other departments – Port Hardy Fire Rescue, Hyde Creek Volunteer Fire and Alert Bay Fire Departments all responded to battle the flames.
"We're just getting over the shock of it." Summers explained. " It destroyed the whole boardwalk. It took out the restaurant, a heritage home, the whale museum and the little gift store that was across from it."
Photos posted to social media show the restaurant and The Whale Interpretive Centre fully engulfed in flames.
Summers says the loss of the Whale Interpretive Centre is a huge impact. "It's been visited by thousands and thousands of people over the years. It was an amazing place."