Fire crews were called to the Cassidy Inn Pub along the Trans-Canada Highway just after 11 p.m. when smoke was seen coming from the back of the building.
By the time fire crews arrived, it was too late. The century old building near the Nanaimo airport wasn’t a large fire when they arrived, but it didn’t take long before the flames spread rapidly, there wasn’t much they could do to save it.
The building has been vacant for years but there have been reports of squatters living there in the past – it doesn’t appear anyone was inside at the time and there were no reports of any injuries.
The Nanaimo pub well known and liked by locals was used used in the Superman movie “Man of Steel” in 2013.
The building was ordered to be demolished on June 8th but the order was suspended at a reconsideration hearing requested by the bulding’s owner.
The Regional District of Nanaimo deemed the building at 2954 Canyon Road a hazard and ordered outstanding problems be fixed in 30 days including better securing the site.
Firefighters from Cranberry, Extension, North Cedar, North Oyster and Ladysmith were called in to provide mutual aid.
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