The owner of Salmo Hotel says the historic business will eventually reopen but repairs won’t begin until sometime next year.
A fire destroyed part of the building’s roof in September, forcing the hotel and the first-floor restaurant to close.
John Mirko, a mining executive who purchased the hotel in 2021, said the fire was started by an electrical issue with loose wiring in outside lighting fixtures on the building’s west-facing wall. Hot, dry conditions, he said, also helped the fire spread.
The fire resulted in what Mirko said are nearly $1 million in damages and left 23 people out of work.
Mirko said he is currently focused on reopening the restaurant, which only incurred light smoke and water damage. The restaurant could re-open as early as Christmas, but he said that’s not a guarantee.
“I’m fronting most of the money and time and effort for that before we have a final agreement with the insurance company. But I’m feeling like we’re going to get coverage.”
Second-floor hotel suites meanwhile suffered smoke damage but little from water. Mirko said the sprinklers didn’t go off because the fire was contained to the outside of the building.
The blaze spread across a lower level of the roof over the second-floor veranda, but didn’t impact the structure’s main roof.
Mirko says he has retained a general contractor and is looking forward to beginning repairs.
“It’s not a loss. It’s going to get fixed and repaired and up and running again.”
It’s not the first time Salmo Hotel has had to be rebuilt after a fire.
The original hotel was constructed in 1896, but was burnt down in 1931. It was rebuilt in 1932, and renovated in 1981 with a new facade.
READ MORE:
• After decades in the same family, a Salmo landmark changes hands
• Guest tries to fix sprinkler, ruins 2 suites and restaurant at Nelson’s Hume Hotel
