April 6, 2026

FIRE BEHIND BALA FALLS PUB EARLY THIS MORNING PERILOUSLY CLOSE TO FAMED KEE TO BALA DANCE HALL

BALA — A near tragedy was averted early this morning when a fire broke out behind the Bala Falls Pub with flames just feet from the front side of the Kee to Bala.

Muskoka Lakes Firefighters jumped on the flames just before 6 a.m. Monday after a 911 call about “reported structure fire” at the famed west Muskoka dancehall.

Upon arrival firefighters from five stations quickly learned it was an exterior fire just behind the popular small Bala Falls Road main street restaurant.

Crews from Torrance, Foots Bay, Walkers Point, Glen Orchard and Port Carling quickly knocked down the flames with a “fast attack,” preventing the fire from burning nearby structures, the said in their online post.

They say there were no injuries and damage from the loss is estimated at $20,000.

The fire just before 6 a.m. behind the Pub was periously close to the side of The Kee to Bala and had fire crews from five stations responding and using a “fast attack,” to keep flames from spreading further. PHOTO Muskoka Lakes Fire Department

Pub owner Jacintha Cowan is believed to live above her restaurant.

Reached late this afternoon, to see how she was, she said “Thanks for checking.

“Yeah, I’m good.

“It was definitely really fortunate” not to be worse.

“I mean, obviously, not the best case scenario. That would have been nothing.

“But given the all the facts we’re really fortunate, really lucky,” she said while busily running around.

“It’s just all resolved. All been handled. It’s all fine. Honestly, it has. It was taken care of quite quickly. They were really good.

“We’re all good.”

She was too busy to provide more exact details at this time.

**The charred remains behind the Pub show damage the fire department estimated to worth $20,000. PHOTOS MLFD**

MLFD photos and video show flames close to The Kee, which can be seen behind where there is a set of steps a few feet away and not far from the main entrance doors and a short fence in front.

And where two large green propane tanks appear to be sitting next to the building.

A short fire department video here shows just how close flames came.

The Pub was closed Easter Monday and is also closed Tuesday and Wednesday as per usual. And will re-open Thursday at 11:30 a.m.

The fire was located in back of the Pub where they have a summer patio overlooking the water.

Comments on line questioning the large fire department presence were rebutted by one long-time resident who said “had they not been out in force, it could have wiped out the small main street. Many of the the old wooden buildings along that short stretch could have all gone up,” said Tim Ogilvie.

The MLFD says a fire investigation is pending.