The Grey Cup was inside the Clarion Lakeside Inn when a fire broke out Friday afternoon, but was saved thanks to the quick actions of Winnipeg Blue Bombers fullback John Rush and the team travelling with the CFL’s top prize.

When the blaze broke out around 3:30 pm, Rush and the staff were in the hotel’s lounge. They quickly ran to the room where the Cup was being stored and retrieved it, then ran back down the stairs and outside to safety.

The truck that the Bombers entourage had traveled to Kenora in, along with a trailer full of Blue Bombers swag, wasn’t so lucky as it was parked next to one of the vehicles that was on fire. The trailer full of merchandise was lost, which means that there will be none for them to hand out Saturday at Golden Eagle.

Thankfully, the Grey Cup is safe and will be on display as planned Saturday.