The fire on February 4, 2008 that destroyed the Kamloops Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre was apparently caused by a heater used by a homeless person ‘squatting’ in a makeshift lean-to adjacent to the building. According to Betty Inouye, people were in the Centre at the time but unaware of the fire. A couple of off-duty firemen were passing by, noticed the fire, alerted those inside, evacuated everyone and attempted to put the fire out before the fire department arrived.

The fire climbed the fence, went up the side of the building and onto the roof. The fire spread quickly across the roof, bringing the ceiling came down. The entire main floor of the building has been destroyed, and most of the furniture and other items inside are gone, but miraculously most of the larger kitchen equipment are salvageable. All food items, crafts, display items, sales items, etc. were destroyed.

Continue reading Update on KJCCC Fire in Kamloops