A significant fire erupts at the boardwalk of historic Telegraph Cove Resort south of Port McNeill. (Port McNeill Fire Rescue)

By NanaimoNewsNOW staff / Canadian Press

Substantial loss

Fire devastates historic north Vancouver Island tourist attraction

Dec 31, 2024 | 12:58 PM

PORT McNEILL — Damage is immense as a fierce fire ravaged a critical north Vancouver Island tourist draw.

Port McNeill Fire Rescue (PMFR) reported on the morning of Friday, Dec. 31 that a substantial fire had hit the boardwalk at Telegraph Cove Resort, noting parts of the boardwalk were lost.

PMFR stated later in the morning that several neighbouring fire departments were assigned to battling the structure fire located south of the community.

“This is a devastating loss to the North Island,” the Facebook post read.

The fire was burning under the boardwalk which was halting its advancement, and the blaze was slowly being extinguished, PMFR stated.

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World-renowned Telegraph Cove Resort is home to a popular boardwalk containing a museum, restaurant, coffee shops and general store.

While the extent of the damage is unclear, several pictures of the scene indicate multiple structure losses on the boardwalk.

PMFR reported people arriving at Telegraph Cove to watch had been hindering efforts to extinguish the fire.

Telegraph Cove is also a staging area for multiple eco-tourism services, including whale-watching, fishing, cabins and camping.

– with files from The Canadian Press

There is significant damage to the boardwalk and structures at Telegraph Cove Resort (Submitted)