Devastation in Dawson City, Yukon, as iconic hotel is razed by fire

Dawson City, Yukon’s iconic tavern, the Westminster Hotel, aka “The Pit,” was destroyed in a fire on Sunday morning — just months after the bar survived a devastating flood.

Fire crews battled the blaze burning at the beloved Dawson City community landmark for hours. But the building, which dated back to 1898, has now been razed.

Heavy smoke blanketed downtown, and fire crews asked residents to stay away from the building for their own safety.

Dawson city posted on social media at 9:26 a.m., saying firefighters were responding to “a significant structure fire” at the Westminster Hotel.

“Please respect emergency responders and give them room to work safely,” the post said. “Those sensitive to smoke may wish to remain indoors and limit outdoor activity while smoke conditions persist.”

There were no “known reports of injuries or threats to neighboring buildings,” the post said.

For many in Dawson City, The Pit was more than a bar.

It was the town’s de facto living room, a 125-year-old institution where locals gathered and marked life’s milestones. Its loss, coming close on the heels of a devastating flood that had already forced it to close, has left the community reeling. 

‘Everyone’s in shock’

Coun. Cud Eastbound, who stood in front of the hotel as firefighters fought the blaze, said they felt “devastated.”

They said a crowd had gathered in the area, and that they had arrived around 8 a.m.

“Everyone’s in shock,” they said. “Crews are on site, suppressing what flames are left. Large amount of community members are out supporting each other, giving each other hugs.”

There were gasps in crowd as most of the structure collapsed.

“An iconic part of the town is gone now,” said Matthew Wright, another Dawson resident who was watching the scene unfold.  

Shirley Paraluman said the “whole town is grieving” the destruction of the beloved icon. 

“This is a piece of history. This building is a history to everyone,” said Paraluman, who’s lived in Dawson for 17 years. “I don’t want to cry but it’s just so sad, this [building] brought life to the whole town.”

Buffalo Taylor, Dawson City Fire Department chief, said the cause of the fire was unknown.

“There will be an investigation later, right now we have no idea what started it,” Taylor said.  

Fire follows flood

While The Pit was closed at the time of the fire, many Yukoners were hopeful they could return to the beloved bar later this summer.

The Westminster Hotel began having problems early this year after city water mains broke during a deep freeze in early January. The hotel had about one metre of water. 

Josée Montreuil, manager of The Pit, said in an interview last week that it took about a week to get the water shut off. 

“We got it below the floor from the first day, but the basement is still full right now because of water. Now that the ground is thawing again, all of that other water is going back towards the building,” she said.

Montreuil said they were already pumping water and getting dehumidifiers running in the building.

“Then we tear up the floor to redo the foundation. So that’s what’s happening right now,” she said. “We don’t really have a timeline because it’s construction in the Yukon, but we’re hoping July for the Tavern.”

On Sunday morning, Dawson City Mayor Stephen Johnson watched as the pink building – that always stood out as a beacon for visitors, as well as a gathering place for the community – turned black with soot.   

“We’ve lost an icon in this town,” he said. 

“I’m just shocked. It’s a huge loss.”