By Steve Hubrecht

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An Edgewater man has lost a life’s worth of memories and music after a house fire today. 

Edgewater resident Barry Moore is one of the most well-known musicians in the Columbia Valley, and has been involved with too many melodious endeavours to count. 

Around mid-day Moore’s house caught fire and although members of the Edgewater, Radium, Windermere, and Invermere fire departments arrived on scene to battle the blaze, the flames consumed most of the house.

Fellow Edgewater resident Hank Vanderland told the Pioneer the fire started around 11:30 a.m. and a few hours later the house had essentially burned to the ground. 

“I saw the flames and ran over,” said Vanderland, who shared dramatic photos of the blaze with the Pioneer. 

Although nobody was hurt, the loss of the house is a big deal for Edgewater.

“It’s a major event. His house — it’s a historical place . . . all of Barry’s music, his compositions, his two grand pianos . . . it’s all gone,” said Vanderland. “Barry is in shock.”

Columbia Valley Rural Fire and Rescue assistant fire chief Joss Advocaat said in a press release that when fire crews arrived Moore’s house was fully engulfed. 

Fire crews had to work hard to keep the blaze from spreading to neighbouring homes. 

“I want to acknowledge the support of the public and their diligence in reporting the fire early, along with the tremendous work by all of the responding firefighters who were able to keep the fire contained to the single residence in these tinder-dry conditions,” said Advocaat.

In total, 18 firefighters were involved in battling the flames. Crews remained on scene for much of the afternoon putting out hot spots. The news release stated the three occupants of the home were able to exit safely and no injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. 

The following is a link to a profile that the Pioneer did on Moore last summer: https://www.columbiavalleypioneer.com/the-life-of-an-edgewater-pianist/

A firefighter hoses down the gutted home in today’s fire in Edgewater.
(Photo submitted by RDEK)