Historic Westminster Hotel in Dawson City destroyed by a major fire on Sunday

A landmark hotel in Dawson City has been lost to a devastating fire that tore through the gold-rush era building on Sunday, leaving the Yukon community in mourning.

The Westminster Hotel — affectionately known to locals as The Pit — was engulfed in flames as thick black smoke billowed above the town. Images and videos circulated on social media showed firefighters battling the blaze as it spread rapidly through the three-storey wooden structure.

The mayor confirms the loss

Dawson City Mayor Stephen Johnson confirmed the destruction of the building in a Facebook post, describing the news as heartbreaking for the community. He expressed relief that no lives had been lost in the fire.

"Losing it feels personal because it is personal," Johnson wrote in his statement.

A community landmark

The Westminster Hotel had long been regarded as one of Dawson City's most cherished landmarks, serving as a gathering place for both residents and visitors over many decades. Its loss is expected to be felt deeply across the close-knit community.

Earlier damage this year

The fire was not the first hardship the building had faced in recent months. Earlier this year, the hotel bar sustained damage after a water main burst during a period of extreme cold weather in January, flooding the surrounding streets and affecting the property.

The cause of Sunday's fire has not yet been confirmed, and investigations are ongoing.