UPDATE: The initial investigation has determined that the fire may have been an act of arson.

The McMunn and Yates Building Supplies store in Eriksdale has been destroyed by fire.

Eriksdale Fire Chief Craig Pottinger got the page just after 4:30 this morning and within minutes was already calling neighbouring communities for backup.

“When I left the house I could see the smoke and the glow already and thought, ‘oh boy, we’re in trouble,’ he said. “It’s a terrible loss for the community…the store manager now, it was his great grandfather who started it.”

Pottinger says that within minutes of requesting backup from Lundar, he was on the phone with departments in nearby Ashern and Moosehorn asking for additional support.

All four crews were battling the blaze for nearly six hours and the Eriksdale fire crew remains at the scene dealing with hotspots and clean up.

Pottinger adds that a south wind picked up and spread flames to the adjacent Co-op store, but firefighters managed to contain the blaze and save the building.

The McMunn and Yates building is a complete loss and there were no injuries reported. The Office of the Fire Commissioner is investigating.

"McMunn & Yates Building Supplies is currently reviewing the damages to our Eriksdale branch and the next steps," Suzett Medeiros, McMunn and Yates marketing manager said in a statement provided to Portage Online. "We are grateful that there were no injuries and our team members are safe. Thank you to the fire departments for the quick response, and keeping the fire contained and the community safe. Please stay tuned to our web-site and social media outlets for our next steps in terms of customer service."