Fire caused extensive damage to an historic commercial building on Water Street in Carbonear.

The Carbonear Volunteer Fire Department was called to the scene just after 6:00 a.m. yesterday and was assisted by the Victoria Volunteer Fire Department.

The building, once described by the Carbonear Heritage Society as a symbol of the town’s living heritage, has seen a variety of business operations over the years. It served as the location of Forward’s General Store, the Carbonear Pharmacy, and Ivan’s Paints. It is immediately adjacent to a memorial to Tryphoena Nicholl, a post mistress who died while saving the lives of others after a fire broke out at the Carbonear Post Office in 1904.

Route 66 Diner and Pub operated out of the building in recent years. Last month, the owners hosted a pop up fundraising event for evacuees of the fire that affected nine communities on the Conception Bay North Shore.

More than $1,500 was raised and donated to the Salvation Army to help with its efforts in providing emergency services to evacuees.

There’s no immediate word on the cause of the fire.