Montreal food bank is left homeless after church fire.

A fire destroyed Saint-Paul Catholic Church in Montreal's Sud-Ouest and destroyed the basement used by La Main Qui Partage, leaving the food bank without space; 148 people were evacuated and no injuries were reported.

A fire in the early hours destroyed Saint-Paul Catholic Church in Montreal's Sud-Ouest and damaged the space used by the food bank La Main Qui Partage. The basement where the food bank and thrift store operated was lost along with supplies and materials. Nearby residents were displaced and the organization is now searching for a new location to continue serving the community. Local officials and community leaders are discussing next steps. Reported details: - The fire began around 1:30 a.m., according to a spokesperson for Montreal's fire department. - The basement space used by La Main Qui Partage was destroyed and supplies were lost. - A total of 148 people were forced to evacuate, including residents of an adjacent seniors' home; no injuries were reported. - The church property is owned by the Catholic Church of Montreal and was being rented by Saint Nicholas Romanian Orthodox Church; the archbishop's office said it is working with community leaders and the diocese is in contact with authorities. Summary: The incident removed a local distribution site that has helped thousands of people since 2013 and currently serves about 200 families, creating an immediate need for replacement space and supplies. La Main Qui Partage's director is meeting with City of Montreal officials and MNA Guillaume Cliche-Rivard to discuss options, and Sud-Ouest borough officials say they are exploring temporary solutions with local partners.