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Suspected human remains found in hotel

What are believed to be human remains have been found at the Bonnyville Hotel after a fire broke out on Dec. 16, according to RCMP. Information about the identity has not been released.
Firefighters work to put out a fire that broke out at the Bonnyville Hotel Dec. 16.
Firefighters work to put out a fire that broke out at the Bonnyville Hotel Dec. 16.

What are believed to be human remains have been found at the Bonnyville Hotel after a fire broke out on Dec. 16, according to RCMP.

Information about the identity has not been released.

Twelve people were in the building when it caught fire, 11 of which have been found to be safe, said RCMP Staff Sgt. Luis Gandolfi.

After receiving a call at about 2:20 a.m. Dec. 16, fourty-five firefighters worked to put out the fire, according to Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority (BRFA) chief Brian McEvoy.

Of the firefighters who turned in their pagers recently, all who were in town and capable came to help, said BRFA board member Mayor Ernie Isely.

He said according to information he received, only the third floor and roof suffered fire damage, while the rest of the building suffered some water damage and likely smoke damage.

“I couldn't believe the fire hadn't gutted that whole wooden structure building,” said Isely. “The boys did a good job of keeping it going up instead of down and out.”

The hotel was built in 1949 and opened in 1950. A third storey was built in 1952.

Recently, it consisted of a hotel, a bar and a beauty salon.

Firefighters from Ardmore, Fort Kent, Glendon, and a pumper truck and crew from Cold Lake came to help with the blaze, as is normal under the areas' counter-back up agreements, said Isley.

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