Snow White restaurant in Biggar destroyed in early morning fire

Shock and heartbreak cloud the town of Biggar as the community woke up Wednesday morning after a devastating fire.

The Snow White Family Restaurant, which has long been a staple of the community, burnt down in an early morning blaze on Wednesday.

READ MORE:

• Fire destroys Kamsack’s historic Woodlander Hotel
• No injuries in Willows house fire
• 2024 wildfire season on track to be 2nd largest in last two decades

Jim Rickwood, Mayor of Biggar said the fire started around 4 a.m., and noted that no one was injured.

The building that the restaurant occupied was built in the early 1900s. Rickwood said the restaurant’s owner, Maggie Tan, ran the restaurant for more than 30 years, adding that it was a very popular spot.

“(It’s a) well-known establishment throughout Saskatchewan,” said Rickwood. “Her food was amazing, and everybody flocked to the community to go there.”

Tan took to Facebook to share the unfortunate news.

“Every thing is unknown now,” Tan wrote.

Rickwood said everybody is shocked by the fire, and said it’s a huge loss for the community.

“It’s one of those things that’s always been there, and you always expect it to be there,” said Rickwood. “Shock would be the best way to explain it.”

Rickwood said the news “hit everybody hard,” himself included.

“It was a gathering place for many years,” the mayor said.

The building isn’t salvageable, according to Rickwood, and will be demolished before the end of the day on Wednesday.

The restaurant is also right next to a tire shop and the Biggar Main Street Market.

“The tire shop sustained no damage,” said Rickwood. “The grocery store right beside it has some smoke damage.”

Rickwood said the local fire department did an excellent job containing the fire.

Biggar is located about 100 kilometres west of Saskatoon.