An outreach group in Port Alberni, B.C., is concerned about impacts to the community after an early morning fire caused extensive damage to the local Service B.C. location.

Four fire departments responded to the blaze just after 4 a.m. PT Tuesday.

No injuries have been reported, but the fire has been deemed suspicious, according to fire Chief Mike Owens.  

He said the roof of the building collapsed, displacing the offices inside. Those include Service B.C., the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction and ICBC.

Cindy McAnerin, executive director of the Kuu-Us Crisis Line, said she’s worried what the loss of Service B.C. could mean for the vulnerable populations she often works with.

Essential services for many in the community, like licensing, Medical Services Plan (MSP), and even income assistance and disability applications, are all handled at that location, she said.

McAnerin said not having a local Service B.C. will impact not just the immediate community, but the wide circle of rural communities across the valley, whose residents travel quite far to Port Alberni to begin with to access services.

The next closest Service B.C. location, she said, is in Parksville, a 50-kilometre drive east.

“I think it’s a devastating loss,” she said. “It just seems to be another hit for our little town and we’re struggling, but we’ll get through this too.”

McAnerin noted next Wednesday is income assistance day, and many people need to pick up their cheques in person. Having to travel to Parksville is just another barrier for those who already struggle, she said.

The province said that ICBC services will be moved to Nanaimo in the wake of the fire. It said Service B.C. is working to find alternate office locations as quickly as possible.