Evacuation orders in place for some in Portugal Cove-St. Philip's as firefighters battle blaze at restaurant
CBC
Between 30 to 40 firefighters are battling a blaze at a restaurant near the ferry terminal in Portugal Cove-St. Philip's Tuesday morning.
Crews were seen fighting heavy smoke and fire toward the back of Landings Restaurant.
Ferry service between Portugal Cove and Bell Island is on hold at the request of the fire department.
In a statement around noon, the town announced residents were being asked to evacuate homes in the areas of Bridgets Road, Hardings Hill, Boulder Lane, Somertons Lane and the bottom of Anglican Church Road.
"The recreation centre will be open and available for residents who require a place to go during the evacuation," it said, adding the road in the area is also closed and only for local traffic.
The town is advising residents the area of Beachy Cove Road to Churchills Road are experiencing water issues as a result of the fire. A smoke advisory is in effect for Hardings Hill, Loop Drive, Somertons Lane and Boulder Lane.
MHA for Conception Bay-East Bell Island Fred Hutton said the call came into the volunteer fire department around 7 a.m.
He said he arrived on the scene around 7:30 a.m. and could see Portugal Cove-St. Philip's firefighters, as well as help from crews coming from Torbay, Pouch Cove and St. John’s.
“It was a stubborn fire for several hours,” he told CBC News, estimating it took two hours before the flames could be contained and no longer visible.
He said around 7 a.m. the smoke was so thick, nearby homes could not be seen.
Given the devastation left by the fire, he doesn’t believe much of the building, which housed a restaurant and a food processing facility, will be salvageable.
It’s unfortunate, given how many people it employed, said Hutton, adding it was a focal point in the community as it was one of the bigger restaurants in the area.
“I was just here on Friday night for supper with my wife and my sister and it was full. The place was full,” said Hutton. “It’s a popular spot.”
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