The Canadian Mental Health Association is in scramble mode following an after-hours fire late Monday evening at their Nourish Food Bank and Sprout Kitchen facilities in West Quesnel.
The organization is actively in contact with the relevant authorities to support their response efforts and determine the extent of the damage.
“Upon arrival we had heavy flames exiting the roof of the building. Unfortunately the structure was completely destroyed,” said Fire Chief Ron Richert.
Richert said the Quesnel Fire Department was on scene until 2:30 am with 24 firefighters, four pieces of large apparatus and some squad vehicles.
CMHA Executive Director, Elaine Laberge says the focus now is to make sure those in need still have access to food.
“It is really about how we pull together as a team and as a community to ensure somewhere close to 700 households a month get their food.”
“Our plan right now is continuity of food so that folks are still getting food baskets and their meals. That is our priority right now.”
At this time, the full impact on operations is still being assessed. Further updates will be shared as more information becomes available.
“We are looking for the community to come together to ensure that happens (families receiving meals) because we cannot have a disruption in getting food to folks.”
The cause of the fire continues to be under investigation.
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