A fire in the Garibaldi Highlands destroyed a newly renovated home and a fledgling small business studio on Thursday night (Oct. 4).Owner Shannon Hearn said he had just completed $60,000 in renovations on the Highlands Way North house he and his wife Jodi bought for about $300,000 in 2003.
"We were just finished, like literally," he said, walking through the charred remains.
Brad McGregor, co-owner of Global Inkstorm with Danny Polson and Jason Buckles, moved personal belongings into the home-studio already occupied by Buckles just hours before the blaze.
Along with contributing photographers, filmmakers and artists, the threesome started Global Inkstorm last February. The studio offers large format printing for art, posters banners, and storefront displays.
McGregor estimated the damage, which includes a large format printer and camera equipment, at around $100,000.
For Hearn, a carpenter and builder living in Whistler who spent each summer investing in the house, the impact of the destruction is twofold.
"Everywhere I look I see the work I've done and it's all destroyed," he said. "But my biggest concern is for these guys. Everyday they'd come and show me something new and exciting that they just printed off."
According to firefighter Bob Fulton, Squamish Fire and Rescue received a call from a neighbour shortly after 8 p.m. When firefighters reached the scene, the fire was fully evolved. It took 40 firefighters about 20 minutes to extinguished the blaze. Fulton said the fire started in the front left area of the home.
Foul play is not suspected.
