Update:
MLA Sheldon Clare spoke in the Legislature Tuesday afternoon thanking the first responders who handled the fire.
"I want to acknowledge the hard work of the Quesnel Volunteer Fire Department last night in trying to protect the Sprout Kitchen and Nourish Food Bank, a food bank that feeds some 500 households every month, 356 of them with children," Clare said. "Hopefully we can get these services restored very quickly."
Update May 6:
The City of Quesnel acquired the building at 101 Marsh Drive in 2024, they issued a statement thanking the fire department for their quick action on containing and extinguishing the flames.
Nobody was injured, the city said.
"We want to thank the community for your support and continued patience as we navigate this difficult time," the statement said.
Update:
The Quesnel Volunteer Fire Department extinguished the flames at Nourish Food Bank and Sprout Kitchen on Quesnel's west side. Firefighters worked hard for over an hour with flames and plumes of smoke coming out of the building to stop the fire.
Flames and plumes of smoke could be seen coming from the building while fire crews used several hoses, including a ladder truck to extinguish the flames.
Video:
Families, seniors and those without homes rely on Nourish Food Bank. Nourish is managed by the Northern B.C. Canadian Mental Health Association.
"At this time, the full impact on operations is still being assessed. We will share further updates as more information becomes available," The CMHA told The Observer in an email statement.
Sprout Kitchen offers entrepreneurs in the food industry access to a space to use testing equipment, food business advisory services, product development services, analytic services, applied research opportunities, and education and training related to food processing and food safety.
It is still unclear how the fire started but it began after-hours at the site. It is also unclear if any food that had been donated to Nourish survived the fire.
Original:
Fire crews fought smoke and flame at the Nourish Food Bank for several hours, Monday night (May 5).
Firefighters were called to Sprout Kitchen and Nourish Food Bank, located at 101 Marsh Dr, at about 9:30 p.m.
According to witnesses, there was heavy smoke and flame coming from the roof of the building, when fire crews arrived.
More than four emergency vehicles responded to the scene including RCMP, who had to direct traffic along Marsh Dr. due to the incident.
Sprout Kitchen and Nourish Food Bank are operated by the Northern B.C. branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association.
It’s unclear how the fire started, however, meals are prepared inside the building.
Nourish Food Bank is open Tuesdays to Thursdays and is closed on Mondays, according to its website.
More to come.
