'A very trying day': Portugal Cove-St. Philip's mourns loss of community staple in fire

The mayor of Portugal Cove-St. Philip's says an early morning restaurant fire is a devastating loss for the community.

"It's a family business, and they are absolutely devastated," Mayor Dave Bartlett said. "And the owner of the building, who was getting ready to operate a business downstairs, he's devastated as well. This was such an important business to our town."

Crews were called to the fire at Landings Restaurant around 7 a.m. Tuesday, which prompted ferry service between Portugal Cove and Bell Island to be put on hold at the request of the fire department.

Due to the fire and heavy smoke, an evacuation order was put in place late that morning for 44 homes in the immediate area, according to the mayor. The order was lifted around 5 p.m.

"It's been a very trying day, to say the least," Bartlett said shortly before the evacuation order was lifted.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday afternoon, the restaurant posted that no one was in the building when the fire started. Bartlett said the business employed around 18 people.

"We are devastated and still trying to process this tremendous loss," part of the post read.

Shawn Dawson, one of the evacuated residents, said the fire made for a stressful morning as he woke to the sound of sirens.

"[I] seen all the smoke bellowing out and the flames coming out of the top of the building," Dawson said.

He said it was surreal to watch the building burn.

"I mean, it's such, such a staple to the community," he said.

Bartlett and the town thanked all parties involved in the effort, which included help from several organizations and businesses along with fire department response from Pouch Cove, Torbay and St. John's.

Residents the area of Beachy Cove Road to Churchills Road also experienced water issues as a result of the fire. In a post detailing the lifting of the evacuation order, the town said residents in affected areas from Indian Meal Line to Beachy Cove Hill should run their cold water taps until discolouration goes away.

MHA for Conception Bay-East Bell Island Fred Hutton said he arrived on the scene around 7:30 a.m. to smoke that was so thick, nearby homes could not be seen.