'Heartbreaking loss' as fire destroys community centre and library in Tagish, Yukon

A fire in Tagish, Yukon, has destroyed the local community centre and library, a facility that's been described as the social hub of the community.  

Multiple fire departments responded to the fire early on Wednesday morning.  

Tagish resident Claudelle Quintal said she had to slow down as she drove in the area around 6:25 a.m. because the smoke made it hard to see. She noticed an ambulance and multiple fire trucks on the scene. 

Then, she said, she saw flames coming out the sides of the structure.

"The building was halfway down. It was in flames and charred," said Quintal, who said she has lived in Tagish for eight years now, and who had been on her way to Whitehorse when she saw the fire. 

Firefighters from Marsh Lake Fire Rescue and the Golden Horn, Tagish, Carcross and Mt. Lorne volunteer fire departments responded to the call and crews were still on scene later in the morning alongside a heavy operations team. 

Fire officials say the cause is still under investigation by the Whitehorse Fire Department but there is so far no evidence of crime or suspicious activity.

Diane Lister, deputy fire chief of Marsh Lake Fire Rescue, said no injuries were reported, and no one was in the building when the fire broke out. She said the building was fully engulfed by flames and most of it had collapsed by the time fire crews arrived. 

In an update later Wednesday afternoon, officials said the fire was under control though there could still be hotspots. The Tagish Fire Department was monitoring the site and the public is being asked to stay away from the cordoned-off debris area.

'More than a building'

Quintal said the hall is central to the community – a place that hosts activities, weekly coffees and even weddings. It was home to the library and a community garden as well, she said. 

"There was old photos of some of the elders who used to be with us … there was old newspapers. I believe there was some artifacts inside the library," she said. "But now everything is gone."  

Heather Becker, president of the Tagish Community Centre, said it's a big loss, as the community centre was seeing "a lot of momentum" in recent years.

"That's where we gather. That's where the heart of the community is," she said.

"We don't have anywhere else in Tagish. We don't have a school or anywhere else that we can kind of, you know, have as a temporary place to go. We're going to have to really figure out how we can still come together as a community and still feel that connection, because that's important."

Patrick Brown served as the recreation director at the community centre for several years, until about six years ago. He became emotional as he described what the facility meant to the community. 

"Everything that you could possibly imagine that the community had dreamed up or thought about, we tried to like, make it all happen in that humble little building," Brown recalled.

"That building means a lot. And it's more than a building, right? Like it's community."

Peter Bohak, who's lived in Tagish for more than 30 years, also reflected on the many events that happened at the community centre, including an annual Christmas dinner for seniors, and weekly coffee socials. 

"It's the only social gathering place. There's no restaurant here, bars … it was the hub," he said.

Bohak also said the building was old and due for replacement. He's hopeful that might happen sooner now.

Gov't promises to rebuild

In a statement Wednesday, the territorial government acknowledged the "heartbreaking loss," and pledged to rebuild a new facility "when the community is ready."

"In the coming days, we will be reaching out to listen, understand priorities and work together to create a space that reflects the vision of the community," it reads. 

The statement, sent by Premier Ranj Pillai, Community Services Minister Richard Mostyn, and the community's MLA, John Streicker, described the importance of the facility in the community. 

"From community dinners to pancake breakfasts, from fitness classes and youth programs, the centre was at the heart of life in Tagish," the statement reads.

"It was a space where friends met for coffee, families celebrated milestones and neighbours came together to support one another in times of need."

They also thanked the firefighters who responded to the fire on Wednesday, saying their "swift action" helped limit the damage.