Former Sask. Premier Lorne Calvert loses home in fire at Buffalo Pound Lake

As former Saskatchewan Premier Lorne Calvert looks around at the blackened landscape of what’s left of his home – he said he still has lots to be grateful for.

“It’s a tragedy for our family,” he said. “Many, many precious memories in the house, but on the other hand, we’re thankful.”

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Calvert’s home caught fire Tuesday afternoon at Buffalo Pound Lake. According to Bethune Emergency Services, firefighters were dispatched to the scene of the fire at around 3:30 p.m.

Calvert said his wife, brother-in-law and his sister-in-law rushed out of the home after they were alerted by a neighbour who saw the smoke and flames coming from the back of the home.

The home of Lorne Calvert was destroyed in a fire on Tuesday. (Submitted)

Nobody was hurt in the fire, and its cause is still under investigation.

Calvert, 72, served as premier from 2001 to 2007, and continued to lead the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party until 2009.

The former NDP Leader can’t help but express his gratitude towards those who came to their rescue.

“We’re thankful for the kindness and the generosity of our neighbour who have immediately come to give us support,” Calvert said.

“I’m equally thankful for the volunteers who are part of our local fire departments, who kept this fire from spreading under that prairie and creating what could have been a much more tragic situation.”

Lorne Calvert speaks with members of the Bethune Fire Department who responded to the flames at his home. (Gillian Massie/980 CJME)

The home was built by Calvert’s son, and within it, some priceless treasures were lost.

The house’s fireplace mantel was built from wood that came from Calvert’s wife’s hometown, Perdue.

Plus, the stained glass window that came from his mother’s home in Moose Jaw was also destroyed in the flames.

“Those are irreplaceable,” Calvert said. “On the other hand, we’ve got those good memories.”

The home at Buffalo Pound Lake was completely destroyed in the fire on Tuesday. (Shawn Slaght/Discover Moose Jaw)

Calvert said he and his wife are still working with insurance agents, as they figure out their next steps moving forward.

While the home he planned to spend his retirement in is gone, Calvert said the support of family and friends isn’t something he takes for granted.

“I think of others on this globe who are engaged with conflicts that destroy their homes and leave them homeless,” Calvert said. “They don’t have the luxury in many ways of good neighbours and friends; they’re just left bereft.

“We’re so well supported by family and others. I just think of some others in the world who are suffering much more loss than we have.”

The Bethune Fire Department was called back to the scene of Calvert’s home on Wednesday to dowse hot spots. (Gillian Massie/980 CJME)