The historic Quinsam Hotel was demolished Monday, months after the second floor was destroyed in a fire at the end of June.
Flaggers were on site controlling traffic on Highway 19a in front of the building. Crew members wore face masks and the site was taped off with ‘caution asbestos hazard’ tape.
As the excavator pulled the walls down, dust filled the air. The site smelled like a garbage dump as the wet timber and other waste piled up.
“The waste will be going to several locations,” said Brian Kelly, We Wai Kai Nation band administrator, in an email. “Old buildings like this often contain asbestos and that needs to be dealt with by professionals. Not all of the building was accessible and the assessment and segregation has to be completed during the demolition.
“Metal will be recycled and the balance of the waste (will go) to a licensed landfill.”
Kelly said that, at the moment, the We Wai Kai do not have any plans for the site and that the Nation will be working with the city and other development partners “to see what can be accomplished.”
“It is plain for all to see that the fire caused irreparable damage to the building and we are happy to see the corner and Campbellton cleaned up,” he added.
