UPDATE 9:25 AM:

Townandcountrytoday.com is on the scene of a fire at the Grand Union Hotel in downtown Athabasca this morning (July 23).

According to Athabasca County regional fire chief Travis Shalapay, crews got the call at 5:41a.m. this morning. Heavy smoke was visible on arrival. 

Crews and equipment from Boyle, Colinton, Rochester, Baptiste Lake, Richmond park, Grassland and Lac La Biche are on scene to assist. Townandcountrytoday.com is awaiting word from Town of Athabasca fire services.

Highway 2 between 50 Street and 49 Street is closed as firefighters battle the blaze, as is 50 Street between 49 Avenue and Highway 2 and a portion of 49 Street. Town staff and contractors such as Emco and Fortis have been helping to secure the roads and surrounding areas. 

Local company Trident Pumps have also arrived on scene with two 4x4 vehicles to allow crews to pump water directly from the river.

Bystanders react

“That building used to be iconic,” said Hair Clinic owner Regina Shaw, who said she was notified of the fire by text. Shaw’s business, like the others on 49 Street, is closed, and but she came to take photos of the inside for insurance purposes.

“It is really sad to see a building like that go down like this because it was such a place to be in its day.” 

MORE TO COME