THUNDER BAY – The Valhalla Inn in Thunder Bay is a focal point for the business community, and a destination for travellers. A fire last night is not expected to slow the hotel down for long. Already the late night fire is working its way toward becoming history inside the Thunder Bay institution. The fire which lead to fast action first by the Valhalla staff in ensuring all the guests got out safely, displaced over 125 guests.
The City of Thunder Bay Fire Department rallied quickly and within half an hour three Thunder Bay transit buses were on site to shelter guests and staff. The Canadian Red Cross and Salvation Army were quick to respond with help arriving by 2AM.
Many of the guests were taken to the nearby Airlane where they were sheltered. Some of the displaced guests are competitors in the Haywood Noram Nordic Ski Championships. Those competitors were in need or returning to their rooms for their equipment.
The insurance adjusters and clean up crews were already on site this afternoon that the hotel is still open, although the restaurant is currently closed.
The recovery effort is moving quickly, and it is expected that it will not be long before the restaurant is fully open again. The hotel is still in operation. In the lobby and bar, electric air filters are working hard today to clear the air and already it is hard to notice any smoke smell in the air.
The staff at the Valhalla Inn are noted for their excellent service. It won’t be long before everything that this icon of Thunder Bay’s business community is up to full speed once again.
