Delta Fire and Emergency Services personnel were still sifting through the charred debris of several Ladner Village businesses Monday (Nov. 9) after a fire on 48th Ave.

Deputy Fire Chief Rick Lehbauer says that while no official cause has been found to the early morning blaze on Nov. 8 that gutted Marco’s Bistro, Heritage House Interiors and The Dragonfly Gallery, initial findings do not point to anything suspicious.

Lehbauer adds the fire possibly started at Marco’s Bistro and because the buildings were quite old they did not have any fire walls to slow the spread of the flames.

“The fire was knocked down pretty quick at the restaurant by our guys, but the flames had gotten into the spaces in the floor joists and moved pretty rapidly east-west and into the other buildings,” Lehbauer says.

The residents in apartments above the businesses managed to flee the structure without injury.

While insurance adjusters have to formally assess the scene, Lehbauer estimates the businesses suffered heavy damage.

One of those trying to pick up the pieces is Mark Rattee who opened Marco’s Italian Bistro last December.

He says the popular location was enjoying some of its best nights in the past few weeks with plenty of repeat customers coming through the doors.

“I’m just kind of numb right now. I put my heart and soul and just about every penny into this business and I’m not sure what happens now,” he says. “Things were just starting to turn around. We were getting plenty of business and had sold a lot of tickets to our wine pairing event next Saturday.”

Rattee says he left the restaurant with his son about 11:15 p.m. on Saturday, “And we did all the things we normally do. We made sure everything was turned off.”

Just over four hours later, Rattee says he got a call from his alarm company advising him the restaurant’s motion detectors were being set off.

“So, I jumped in the car, drove down there and saw the front windows were all blackened,” he says, adding he then went around the rear of the property and opened the rear door of the restaurant.

“When I did that, rather foolishly, the smoke just came billowing out,” he says, adding he then called 911.

"We are devastated by the loss of our store," says Jamie Fraser who along with his parents Marv and Lynn run Heritage House Interiors. "It feels very surreal and is still hard to believe. My parents have had the business for over 25 years and the store really is more than just a job for us, it is our lifestyle too."

Fraser adds the business was a gathering place for family, friends and customers alike. "It was heartbreaking to watch so many years of hard work and dedication go up in flames," he says, adding his family is also grateful for the job done by Delta Fire and Emergency Services.

"Their fast action ensured that no one was injured in the blaze."

Plans for the future of the business now include finding a temporary location.

Details will be posted on the store's web site at heritagehouseInteriors.ca

To help with the recovery the Ladner Business Association announced at its weekly meeting Nov. 12 it would lend a hand to the residents who lost their homes in the fire and also assist the damaged businesses using money from the association's contingency fund.

Just what form that aid takes on is yet to be determined, said LBA president Brad Cooper who has been contacting local agencies that specialize in that area to offer advice and their own assistance.

Also pitching in to lend a hand to the residents left homeless is Clair Oates, owner of Clair’s Bed and Breakfast in Ladner Village. Oates has pledged to help collect and store donations to help the residents get re-established.

“I have a big basement and a shed where I can store plenty of things. I’ve even suggested they can come here and stay for a while,” Oates says.

To arrange donations, call Clair’s Bed and Breakfast in Ladner Village at 604-940-8867.