London's Ark Aid Mission hopeful 'good can still come' after fire

The Ark Aid Mission, one of London's primary organizations helping the city's vulnerable population, said a fire that caused extensive damage to its main building will not impact services. 

The back entrance to the Dundas Street location of the Ark was destroyed Tuesday evening, with fire crews estimating the damage at $50,000. Investigators are probing it as suspicious. 

Executive director Sarah Campbell's biggest concern was to make sure that no one was injured as a result of the fire. 

"The fire started at the back of the building, and burned up our wooden staircase and the back of our kitchen area and so there is some smoke damage, but the majority of it is on the outside and we're very grateful for that," she said. 

No one was injured but the road was closed near Lyle Street while fire crews worked to put the fire out.

"In the area of origin, there is no ignition source like a hydro source," said fire department platoon chief Colin Shewell. "So at this point, we're deeming it suspicious and further investigation is needed." 

A social media post by the mission said the entire rear of the building was destroyed. The storage shed, the entrance to the kitchen and the sanctuary apartment were damaged. 

The building was undergoing construction and had not been in use since April, but there were two tenants living in the apartment above, Campbell said. Neither were home at the time of the fire. 

"We had to relocate at some point given our construction plans, but this [fire] has just expedited that," she said. 

She said many community members showed up to the scene and have been reaching out to offer their support.

"It was actually so touching, many of our friends along Dundas Street came and said 'I'm so sorry this happened, the Ark is like a home to me and it means so much.' It was a really positive community moment," she said. 

She's also grateful to the first responders who showed up to the scene and attended to the fire immediately. 

Ark Aid Mission was instrumental over the winter in keeping people warm at night, opening the Dundas Street space for overnight guests. It also helped run temporary buses converted into shelter, and a day-time program.

While fire fighters say the investigation is now in the hands of the police, organizers with the mission are hopeful people will donate to help the group get up and running. 

"Ark Aid will persist and we'll be back, ready to serve our community again in fresh and new ways," Campbell said. 

The Ark has temporarily moved its operations and community services to the First Baptist Church on Richmond St, near Victoria Park. 

Anyone with any information about the incident is urged to contact London police.