The historic Westminster Hotel, a landmark building known to locals as The Pit, was destroyed by a fire in Dawson City, Yukon, on May 17, 2026. The three-storey wooden structure, which dated back to 1898 and stood as the oldest hotel in the Yukon, was fully engulfed in flames before being razed to the ground.
Emergency responders from the Dawson City Fire Department and the Klondike Valley Fire Department worked to manage the scene throughout the day. Heavy smoke covered the downtown area during the incident, and residents were advised to keep their distance for safety. Officials confirmed that there were no reported injuries and that neighboring buildings were not threatened. By 3 p.m. on May 17, an excavator began demolishing the remains of the landmark.
The hotel had not been operating as a business at the time of the fire. The building had been closed for renovations following severe damage in January 2026, when city water mains broke during a deep freeze, flooding the interior with approximately one metre of water.
Dawson City Fire Chief Buffalo Taylor stated that the cause of the fire remains unknown. He noted that an investigation into the incident will follow.
Community members and officials have expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the site. Mayor Stephen Johnson described the hotel as the town’s de facto living room, noting that it served as a vital gathering place for generations. Manager Josée Montreuil had previously referred to the hotel as the heart of the community, highlighting its role as a space for companionship, music, birthdays, wakes, and support.
