A fire wiped out at least some of the food donations at the largest food bank in Newfoundland and Labrador on Wednesday morning.
Firefighters from the St. John’s Regional Fire Department responded to a call of a fire at a building which houses the Community Food Sharing Association and its food bank, NTV reported.
The location acts as a central hub where donations and supplies are taken before being redistributed across the province.
The fire has been put out but smoke destroyed at least some of the group’s stockpile. The full extent of the damage is unknown so far.
Traffic was shut down for all four lanes of Topsail Road, according to the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary – the provincial police service. The RNC is now investigating the cause of the fire.
MP for St. John’s South and Minister of Indigenous Services Seamus O'Regan tweeted that the morning’s fire was “devastating news.” He said his St. John’s office will be “collecting and storing non-perishable food items until a new space can be found.”
Structure fire at the Community Food Sharing Association on Topsail Road. SJRFD say it’s under control now @NTVNewsNL pic.twitter.com/JJjxcCtPXp
— Beth Penney (@bethpenneyNL) January 30, 2019
SJRFD says the Community Food Sharing Association was full of food donations. The incident has been turned over to the RNC for investigation pic.twitter.com/s1ZV2IClr0
— Beth Penney (@bethpenneyNL) January 30, 2019
This morning's fire at the Community Food Sharing Association is devastating news. In response, my office at 689 Topsail Road will be collecting and storing non-perishable food items until a new space can be found.
— Seamus O'Regan (@SeamusORegan) January 30, 2019
If you can, please swing by and donate, and RT/share. pic.twitter.com/hSbMVvZQa9