The Town of Lafleche is coming to terms with the loss of another local landmark.  Just three months after Merchandise on Main burned to the ground, fire has destroyed the Flying Goose Inn.  The Lafleche Fire Department was called to the scene at about 9:15pm Tuesday and Fire Chief Maurice Bouvier says, by the time they arrived, fire had spread from the main floor up to the roof.

"When we knew we couldn't save the main structure, I called back-up for these other fire departments to assist in case it just took right off and we could save his eight room motel."

Bouvier says a southeast wind helped in taking embers away from the motel behind the inn and back-up from Gravelbourg and Kincaid did their part to help get things under control.  He figures, in all, there were more than 30 men, including farmers who were hauling water, helping to fight the fire.

Firefighters were on scene for more than 7 hours and, at last word, remained there monitoring the rubble and watching for any flare-ups.  Bouvier says the cause of the fire hasn't been determined but he figures it may have been electrical.  The Fire Commissioner's office is coming out to investigate.

The Flying Goose Inn, home to a restaurant and bar, was a popular stop and a staple in the small southern Saskatchewan community that is set to celebrate its centennial next month.  "That's the biggest blow right there," Bouvier says.  "It's just a community that's got to rebuild that's all."

Lafleche is about 150km from Swift Current.