Mall ravaged by major fire in Happy Valley-Goose Bay

A mall in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, N.L.,went up in flames Sunday evening, as fire crews tackled the blaze while keeping an eye on a large gas station next door.

The Hamilton River Road Mall is home to a Reitmans clothing store, a travel agency, and an Eclipse clothing store. It’s also next to the Woodward’s C-Store and Gas Station, which was a cause of concern for fire crews.

“My major concern when I got here was the gas station and the fuel pumps,” said Happy Valley-Goose Bay fire department Chief Brad Butler.

Two water pumpers from the local fire department were on site to help out, while a truck from 5 Wing Goose Bay kept an eye on the fuels pumps, he said.

The call about the fire came in to the department at exactly 5:02 p.m., he said.

As of 7 p.m., the flames were under control, but crews were still on site dousing the smoking structure.

Nobody was hurt in the fire.

Traffic was backed up on Hamilton River Road for about two hours.

At least four major commercial fires have destroyed businesses in the town in the past six months.

In September of last year, the NorthMart grocery store, the Cozy Corner restaurant and the Fillatre Funeral Home were all badly damaged by fires.

The NorthMart, one of just two grocery stores in the town, was closed for repairs for approximately two weeks.