Fire damages several historic buildings, businesses in downtown Armstrong, B.C.

The blaze started overnight and hit businesses along Pleasant Valley Blvd.

Fire damages several historic buildings, businesses in downtown Armstrong, B.C. Blaze started overnight and hit businesses along Pleasant Valley Boulevard Several businesses in downtown Armstrong, in B.C.'s Interior, were damaged by an overnight fire. The extent of the damage and the cause of the fire are unknown but multiple businesses, including the Wild Oak Cafe on Pleasant Valley Boulevard, are visibly damaged. Residents smelled smoke from the fire starting as early as 1 a.m. PT Wednesday and the flames had been knocked down by 8 a.m. PT.

The local chamber of commerce posted a message thanking first responders for their work and offering condolences to those affected. "Historic Downtown Armstrong is more than a collection of businesses — it’s the heart of our community. Today, we are thinking of the business owners, employees, neighbouring businesses, residents, and everyone impacted," the statement said.

"We know our community has a remarkable way of coming together in difficult times, and when the time is right, we’ll stand together once again in support of our downtown." The owners of the Great Wall restaurant, which is on the affected block, posted an update indicating that while their building is structurally sound, the basement suffered water damage and they are without power. "We will be back up and running as soon as possible, but it may be a month or more before we are functional," they wrote.

Armstrong is home to approximately 5,000 people and is located about 70 kilometres northeast of Kelowna.