The Hyatt Canning Co. (1962) Ltd. canning factory at Cherry Valley, on the south shore of East Lake, was destroyed in a spectacular blaze, Thursday night, January 28th.

The entire warehouse area and the office with all its valuable records were levelled. A large stock of canned goods was also lost.

Though a complete check of the stock loss will take some time due to the loss of records, owner Ronald Hyatt estimates the loss as $225,000 worth of stock and $75,000 on buildings.

Loss would be considerably higher when replacement value is considered as importation of equipment, dollar exchange, increased costs of materials and services are big factors.

The cause of the disastrous outbreak, which came one year and one day after the fire which destroyed the Baxter Canning Co. plant at Bloomfield, is not known. It is believed to have gained considerable headway in the interior of the warehouse section before being noticed.

During the day, a number of persons had been employed there labelling canned goods. The last man left about five o’clock. Mr. Hyatt and his son, Glen, had left at four-thirty.

There were oil burners in the warehouse, used to help prevent canned goods from freezing and an electric heater was used in the ladies’ wash room. New chimneys were built from the ground up a year ago.

While the warehouse section was steel covered, it was of two storeys with wooden floor on the second storey and wood joists. The cardboard cartons also added to the blaze.

If there is any satisfaction, the new 80 x 30 foot garage built last year, did not burn. Remaining standing also is the boiler room, with pumps and boilers believed undamaged. The strong breeze from the lake blew flames and heat away from that area. The cook room section was not hard hit, with the seven cookers little damaged.

The four pea viners next to the cook room also escaped.

The factory is situated close to East Lake, at the west end of the village of Cherry Valley. It was one of the county’s modern plants, processing tomatoes, peas, berries and pie fill.

As the fire spread through the building, great heat was generated and the air was filled with the sound of exploding cans.

The flames could be seen many miles away, one taxi driver noting the reflection in the sky while returning from Hillier. Bits of burning board were carried in the breeze to the village main street, but no other buildings were seriously threatened.

The fire was first noticed about 8.30 and Camp Picton fire department received a call at 8.57. The Bloomfield department was also called. However, the blaze was out of control. A hole was chopped in the thick ice of East Lake, providing a plentiful supply of water. The firemen remained on the scene until three o’clock Friday morning, and four members of Camp Picton brigade remained all night in case there was a further outbreak.

Mr. Hyatt and sons also operate the Hyatt Canning Co. at West Lake. Mr. Hyatt became manager of the plant which was built by the late W. H. Benson and then operated by the late Howard Leavens and the late Earl Benson, then purchasing it in 1962.

The factory was 300 by 100 feet and many improvements had been made over the last period of years. It was built 27 years ago. It provided a great deal of employment for many in the community and district.