Spectacular Fire Destroys Well-Known Malahat Resort

$70,000 Loss Partly Insured

By Monte Roberts

Victoria Daily Times

September 30, 1958

A roaring, $70,000 fire totally destroyed the Malahat Chalet in just over an hour this morning. The cedar building, one of the best-known Vancouver Island landmarks, was burned to the ground, with only a stone chimney left standing.

Langford firemen, rangers and volunteer firemen and Col wood RCMP arrived at the scene to find the building practically gone. The Chalet, which opened at 12 noon each day, was empty when the fire started.

Co-owners Marshall Smith and Hazel Burns were in the nearby Hitching Post coffee shop just before 10 a.m. when the waitress noticed smoke at the back of the chalet." At first we thought someone was burning rubbish," Mr. Smith said. "Then we realized the smoke was coming out of the back of the building itself."

PHONE OUT

Another witness said the telephone was out of order. A passing motorist was sent on to Langford to notify the fire department. Meanwhile, the Langford forest rangers saw the smoke and sent a new 5,000-gallon tank truck to the scene. Aide Mr. Smith, 1st arrived between 10.30 and 11. By that time, there was nothing left of the inside of the buildings. The walls collapsed shortly after. At 11.30 a.m., only a few smoldering cedar pieces remained to show where the chalet stood.

TOTEMS INTACT

The famed totem poles outside the chalet did not burn, but the wooden statue of Chief Malahat which guarded the doorway was totally destroyed. The well-known stone wishing well also remains. Mr. Smith placed the value of the building at $40,000, covered by insurance. Not covered were $15,000 worth of stock, mainly souvenirs, and $15,000 worth of fixtures and furniture.

IN KITCHEN

Mr. Smith said he had no idea of how the fire started, or exactly where, but it appeared to be in the back of the building, possibly in the kitchen area. Mr. Smith and his partner bought the Chalet in April, 1969, from Mr. and Mrs. Grant Angus and their son, Doug, who operated it for almost 10 years. The new owners spent about $20,000 on enlarging and renovating facilities. The Chalet, with its unmatched view of Finlayson Arm, was a favorite stopping place for tourists from all over the world, and also a dining room with residents from Victoria and up-island.

Mr. Smith and Mr. Burns today said they would start rebuilding immediately.