Massive fire destroys Craik Eco-Centre

A massive fire has destroyed the Eco-Centre in Craik.

The town’s volunteer fire department was called around 9 a.m. Thursday.

By the time Aaron McRae went to check out the site at 11:30 a.m., it was already flattened.

“It took a few years to get her done and took about two hours to knock it down. It’s a shame,” he said.

According to McRae, inspectors will be on the scene Monday to determine the cause.

The building was designed to be eco-friendly with geothermal heating and solar panels, and the walls were made out of flax and recycled timbers.

Kelly Taylor-Faye lives and runs a business right next door to the Eco-Centre.

“Our kids were out doing chores and they came running into the house and let us know that the Eco-Centre was on fire, and so we didn’t know what to expect or what to think,” he said. “We went outside, and by that time, there were flames coming out of the roof of it already.”

RCMP says the Eco-Centre is a total loss.

“I’m just looking out the window and the entire building is down to the ground, with only one or two walls left standing,” Taylor-Faye said.

Taylor-Faye describes it as a huge loss to the community, explaining that the Eco-Centre was one of the reasons he and his wife decided to move their family and their business to

“For us, it’s heart wrenching to see the building gone.”