The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
An electrical problem is believed to have been at the root of a fire that gutted the A-frame building near the Flin Flon Ski Chalet on Friday night. A group of tobogganers called the Flin Flon Fire Dept. around 11 p.m. Friday after noticing flames spewing from the structure, which stretches across the entrance to the ski trail network. "The probable cause of the fire was electrical from the panel inside the building," said Fire Chief Jim Petrie. "That's where the deepest fire was, and the deepest charring. "There was no indication of arson whatsoever around there and all indication of electrical as the cause of the fire." Petrie said the building, used by volunteers to time the results of various ski races, was "fully involved" when firefighters arrived. "Flames were shooting out of the top of the building on both sides," he said. Firefighters had the blaze under control within 20 minutes and left the scene around 12:30 a.m. after sealing off the structure as it dripped with water. Petrie said the building is unsalvageable and estimates the cost to replace it would be $15,000, if not more. The A-frame building was erected in 1980 to house officials during various cross-country ski races. Dave Price of the Flin Flon Ski Club said the building hasn't been used in a few years. Using cedar logs from an abandoned section of railway along Schist Lake, the building was originally constructed at the suggestion of Flin Flon resident Ivor Hedman, Price noted.
