Parkdale Food Centre's community pantry damaged by fire
The Parkdale Food Centre's community fridge and pantry are closed this weekend after a fire badly damaged the enclosure providing food for people in the community.
Executive Director Karen Secord says the closure of the fridge and pantry comes at a time when staff are filling it four, five or six times a day.
In a post on Facebook, the Parkdale Food Centre says the Road Runner II and the accompanying pantry outside on Rosemount Avenue was "set on fire" Friday evening.
"This is certainly not the way we'd like to begin the weekend, especially for Neighbours accessing the fridge," the Parkdale Food Centre said.
"A great big shout out to the off duty firefighter who acted quickly, unplugging the fridge, preventing a serious emergency. We are grateful for your Neighbourly spirit."
Secord tells CTV News Ottawa it's believed someone set a book on fire and placed it in the pantry at about 5:40 p.m. Friday.
"Fortunately, an off-duty firefighter spotted the fire before it became an electrical fire and was able to remove the fridge with the help of someone working after-hours at 30 Rosemount," Secord said, adding they ran to the nearby library to get a fire extinguisher.
The enclosure for the community fridge and pantry suffered smoke and water damage, and will remain closed until further notice. The fire did not damage the fridge, which had just been replaced.
Secord says the Parkdale Food Centre will need to use its donations to replace or repair the enclosure, coming at a time when the need for food is high and the cost of produce is expensive.
A report has been filed with the Ottawa Police Service.
The Parkdale Food Centre is a community food bank serving Hintonburg, Mechanicsville and the Civic Hospital areas.
The Road Runner II is located in front of the Parkdale Food Centre at 30 Rosemount Avenue.
"Road Runner will share good food. Kindly remember to take what you need and leave what you can," the Parkdale Food Centre says on its website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
India's foreign minister reacts to murder charges, claims Canada welcomes criminals
India's Foreign Affairs Minister accused Canada of welcoming criminals from his country in response to the RCMP's recent arrests in a homicide that has roiled tensions between the two countries.
15-year-old boy stabbed in Ottawa on Thursday dies
A 15-year old boy who was critically injured after a stabbing in Nepean on Thursday has died of his injuries, Ottawa's English public school board said Sunday.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
Actor Bernard Hill, of 'Titanic' and 'Lord of the Rings,' has died at 79
Actor Bernard Hill, who delivered a rousing cry before leading his people into battle in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' and went down with the ship as the captain in 'Titanic,' has died.
'A tiny city:' Pro-Palestinian campus protesters organize for another week
Pro-Palestinian activists have set up tents at universities in Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver and Montreal, following a wave of similar protests at campuses in the United States linked to the Israel-Hamas war.
Lawsuit against Meta asks if Facebook users have right to control their feeds using external tools
Do social media users have the right to control what they see — or don't see — on their feeds?
A Holocaust survivor will mark that history differently after the horrors of Oct. 7
This year's Holocaust Remembrance Day, which begins on Sunday evening in Israel, carries a heavier weight than usual for many Jews around the world.
Princess Anne lays wreath at Battle of Atlantic ceremony; honours late Queen
Princess Anne saluted Canadian veterans and current forces members and honoured her late mother during separate ceremonies Sunday in Victoria as she wrapped up a three-day British Columbia West Coast royal visit.
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.