Just a matter of days before the Shoe Closet and Boutique celebrated its second anniversary with a large sale, a fire gutted the downtown store.
Shortly before 1 a.m. on Sunday, May 24, Stettler Regional Fire responded to the fire, quickly dousing the blaze. Despite the quick response, though, the fire did extensive damage both to the inside of the location and the stock within.
Debbie Pooley, owner of the Shoe Closet and Boutique, shared the news the next morning through Facebook.
"There really isn't much to report," she told the Independent in an email. "The cause is still being investigated."
Though the fire was devastating, Pooley isn't willing to allow it to destroy plans for a second anniversary celebration, or put her staff out of work until the site investigation, insurance adjustments and repairs are done.
"We will be opening a temporary location in the old fabric place building until we can rebuild," Pooley reported. "Unfortunately I don't really know any more than that. These things can just take so much time."
Pooley's store wasn't the only location to need the services of Stettler's volunteer firefighters on the weekend. On Saturday, the fire department was called to the Stettler Motel.
A person or persons set a fire in the stairwell, which was quickly deemed as an arson by fire scene investigators with the fire department. The investigation has been turned over to the RCMP.
The Fire Department was also called to Cold Lake in Stettler for a water rescue, which turned out to be a false alarm.
Anyone with information about the Stettler Motel fire can contact the RCMP at 403-742-3382, or anonymously phone Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
