Historic building in Annapolis Royal catches fire

Firefighters called to the scene at the Whiskey Teller shortly after 8:30 a.m. AT

CBC News

A 139-year-old building that houses a pub in the historic town of Annapolis Royal, N.S., caught fire Monday morning, with flames shooting from the roof.

The Annapolis Royal Volunteer Fire Department said the call came in at 8:33 a.m. AT and that firefighters from throughout the Annapolis Valley headed to the scene at the Whiskey Teller on Church Street.

The two-storey brick building dates to 1884 and originally housed a bank and law offices, according to the website of heritage group National Trust for Canada.

Over the years, it’s been used as a bakery, bookstore and youth hostel, before being turned into a pub and later undergoing restoration. The building is a municipally registered heritage property.

Nancy Anderson, who lives nearby, said by 9:30 a.m. flames were through the roof. At one point, she said, firefighters used chainsaws to cut into the building.

“We’re just hoping the building can be saved,” she said.