In the wee hours of Monday morning, flames were visible at a historic North Quesnel home, known as the Vaughan House.
The fire on Monday was called in to the Quesnel Volunteer Fire Department at around 4 a.m., and director of emergency services Sylvain Gauthier told the Observer flames were visible from a corner of the home when they arrived. No one was in the building.
A total of 15 members of the fire department were on the scene for around two hours with two fire engines and a rescue vehicle, and Gauthier says that due to the blaze, the roof area is now structurally unsafe.
Gauthier says the fire was suspicious in nature and is believed to have been set deliberately.
An Observer reader stated on the paper’s social media post that she called 911 after spotting the blaze, and said she saw a set of footprints leading around the building.
The Vaughan House was built in 1911 by Harry Joyce for the Duke of Sutherland, who owned land in North Quesnel. The house, however, is named for Alfred Shepherd Vaughan, who was a pioneering citizen of our city. He established the Farmer’s Institute, Co-op and the Canadian Legion in town, and was also active with many other organizations, according to the City of Quesnel’s Heritage Register.
The family also has a local street named after them.
From late 1984 and for many years afterwards, the single-storey, wood-frame home was a restaurant, also called the Vaughan House, and was considered one of Quesnel’s best eating establishments. It was later occupied by a church group according to local realtors, but it has been vacant for at least four years and the grounds and exterior show signs of disrepair.
The property was last listed on the market in the summer of 2017, by Remax in Quesnel. The owner of the property, who no longer resides in Quesnel, was contacted for comment but was unavailable.
The Quesnel RCMP are unable to comment on the fire, as the investigation is in the early stages, with assistance from the Quesnel Fire Department.
Police are asking anyone with information about the cause of the fire or who may have witnessed suspicious activity to call the Quesnel RCMP detachment at 250 992 9211 or BC Crimestoppers at 1 800 222 8477.