Just before 6 a.m., on Thursday, Sept. 12 a fire broke out in Unit 4 at the Cedars Motel, located at 139 3rd Street in Princeton, B.C.
The fire destroyed Unit 4. Units 3 and 5 contain heavy smoke and water damage.
The larger portion of the motel remains unscathed.
Alerted by guests and by her daughter, owner Tima Jones called 911 and Princeton Volunteer Fire Brigade responded.
“Thank goodness no one got hurt—everyone got out,” said Jones and daughter Marina. Marina Jones added, “the fire department got here very quickly.”
The cause of the fire is not known at this time.
“It didn’t take long to put it out—about 45 minutes,” said Assistant Fire Chief Robert Banks. He was happy to report that, “the rooms weren’t occupied and no one was hurt.” He also commented on the fact that it was a well built building.
Tima Jones and her late husband purchased the motel 10 years ago and have not been able to find out it’s exact age.
So far, the Spotlight has located a photo dating the Cedars Motel back to 1963— it was then known as the Ho Hum Motel.
Norma Kraetor has lived in Princeton since 1937. Kraetor has lived in the area of the motel for 65 years and said she believes it has been there that long. “It’s pretty old,” she said.
Both Jones and her daughter are very impressed with the response and action of the Princeton Volunteer Fire Brigade. “They got here fast, got the fire out quickly and even cleaned up the mess after,” said Marina Jones.
