Fire destroys building on Manitoba Hutterite colony

A gathering space on a Manitoba Hutterite colony was destroyed by fire earlier this week.

A gathering space on a Manitoba Hutterite colony was destroyed by a fire earlier this week.

Heartland Hutterite Colony, located in Springfield, Man., lost its dining hall and gathering space after a fire tore through the building early Wednesday.

According to Brian Seaton, the fire chief for the RM of Springfield, crews were called to the scene shortly after 3 a.m.

“One of the colony members had walked out; he was going to the airport, and noticed the flames going through the colony building,” he said.

Anola’s fire department was the first to respond, followed by Oak Bank and the RM of Springfield’s industrial fire department. The Beausejour Fire Department was also called in for manpower and to help with water.

“We used 87,900 gallons of water on the fire,” Seaton said.

The fire appeared to have started in the middle of the building, Seaton said, adding that firefighters had to use a defensive attack to battle the blaze as the roof trusses had already burned and the ceiling collapsed. Seaton said the fire also travelled to the basement through an elevator shaft.

The colony brought an excavator to help tear the building apart after several hours. Seaton said the upper part of the building was a total loss.

“This building is used as their main community centre, their main gathering, their main cooking area, their main bakery, their main laundry area and their church,” Seaton said.

No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is under investigation.