TOPLEY — A piece of Highway 16 history has been reduced to ash after a fast-moving inferno gutted the Topley Garage on Sunday afternoon.
The Topley Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to the scene within minutes of the initial call, but the landmark wooden structure was already fully engulfed by the time crews arrived. Despite the intensity of the flames, firefighters successfully prevented the blaze from spreading to neighboring Grizzly Jim’s General Store—a critical save given the store’s proximity and the presence of high-capacity fuel tanks.
A Heroic Save at Grizzly Jim’s
Six firefighters and two specialized vehicles battled the blaze through the afternoon. A primary concern for crews was a large fuel tank located at the general store next door. Firefighters maintained a continuous “water curtain” on the tank, cooling the metal to prevent a catastrophic explosion while others worked to contain the main structure fire.
“The wind was a factor, and with a wooden building of that age, it goes up incredibly fast,” noted a regional fire official. “The priority quickly shifted to exposure protection to ensure we didn’t lose the entire business block.”
Highway 16 Disruptions
The fire caused significant logistical challenges along the Yellowhead Highway. An electrical line, weakened by the extreme heat, melted and collapsed across the roadway, forcing a temporary closure of Highway 16. BC Hydro crews were called to the scene to de-energize the line and clear the hazard, while RCMP managed traffic flow between Houston and Burns Lake.
B.C. Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) also staged an ambulance at the scene as a precaution for the volunteer crews, though no injuries to firefighters or civilians were reported.
Community Landmark
Located halfway between Houston and Burns Lake, the Topley Garage has been a staple for travelers and locals for decades. In rural northern B.C., such businesses often serve as unofficial community hubs and essential service points.
Fire crews remained on-site late into Sunday night to douse hotspots and ensure the ruins did not reignite in the dry, winter air. Investigators from the Office of the Fire Commissioner are expected to arrive this week to determine the cause of the blaze, though officials say there is no immediate evidence of foul play.
