A British Columbia hotel whose pub was a favorite of U.S. troops helping build the Alaska Highway during World War II was destroyed in a fire Friday. The Alaska Hotel in Dawson Creek -- the town best known as Mile 0 of the Alaska Highway -- had become a tourist attraction over the years, reports the Canadian Press.

Mayor Mike Bernier said no one really knows when the old wooden structure was built, although it was believed to have been around since the late 1920s or early ‘30s.

"Last night it was quite an emotional time for everybody because people who have lived here for a long time, they were basically hugging and were quite upset," he said Saturday.

"Most of the newer people in our town, I think, saw that and it gave them an idea of how important it really was."

He said the cause of the fire does not appear to be suspicious.

Read more at Canada's Globe and Mail.