QUILCENE — Fire destroyed the 89-year-old Quilcene Hotel on Monday despite the efforts of crews from five fire departments to save the landmark structure.
It took less than one hour for the two-story, 4,800-square-foot inn to be leveled.
Co-owner Kathleen Emmerson, former Quilcene-Brinnon Chamber of Commerce president, was the only person in the building when flames began to eat away at the wooden inner walls at the west end of the structure.
She safely escaped, along with the family dog and cat.
Quilcene Fire Department Chief Bob Wilson said he could tell soon after he arrived at the scene at 11 Quilcene Ave. — shortly after the 12:04 p.m. call — that attempts to douse the inferno would be futile.
Nonetheless, about 20,000 gallons of water were sprayed, he said.
“The fire built quickly and spread fast,” said Wilson.
“The biggest factor was the type of structure.”
The building had thin, wooden walls with no instillation that made it perfect kindling for the flames, he said.
When it was beyond hope that the hotel could be saved, Wilson had the 35 responding East Jefferson Fire and Rescue firefighters secure the scene and protect surrounding buildings.
Wilson said cause of the fire couldn’t be determined without an investigation.
