Surrounding district volunteer fire departments helped the Port Alberni fire department squash a suspiciously started blaze just after 8am at the old Somass Mill site on Sunday, August 18.
Cherry Creek, Beaver Creek and Sproat Lake together with the Port Alberni departments took the defensive response as the tall structure was well engulfed upon arrival hence saving the other main larger structure was the prime objective that was undertaken, according to PAFD Deputy Chief Travis Cross.
This is not the first fire set at the old Somass Mill site. A small fire in August of 2023 and another larger in October 2023 which again took all four fire departments to help out. The area is encased by barbed-wired fencing however, it seems, does not deter everyone from entry.
The City of Port Alberni bought the 43-acre site in 2021 for $5.3 million dollars and awarded Matthews West Developments Ltd. of Squamish, the redevelopment of the site contract which is aimed to be a multi-use site – that is residential, park, open space and local small businesses – a just fit for the ‘Complete Community,’ theme or most referred to as the 15-Minute City concept.
Sadly there seems enough land at this site that would have been a good fit to house the Martin Mars Water Bomber and bring in needed tourist activity and dollars, according to local residents.
The Somass mill site has been closed for several years and the City of Port Alberni have been undergoing deconstruction and are proud to say that most material from the old site has been resold, recycled with the monies returned to the City to help defray costs. The particular building burned today was to be retained and not be demolished according to the developers.
– Charlaine Lacroix, Port Alberni
