Hindu Society of Alberta temple damaged in fire

Firefighters were on scene at a fire at the Hindu Society of Alberta building on Thursday morning.

Firefighters were called to the Hindu Society of Alberta temple in north Edmonton Thursday morning.

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Edmonton Fire Rescue Services (EFRS) said the blaze was reported at 3:35 a.m.

The society said the back side and hallway of the sanctum sustained “significant” damage and as a result, would be closed to the public.

“It means a lot of things. Our Sunday is here so it’s our second home of the board members. Every Sunday we are here, serving the community, meeting the community, and doing the cultural and religious program,” society president Rajeev Arora told CTV News Edmonton later that day.

“People have given countless hours to this organization so all of the community can gather and benefit and carry on the culture, carry on the tradition,” he added, calling the fire traumatizing.

The society said it would be soliciting an independent investigation. The Edmonton Police Service is also involved.

“Police have been asked by EFRS to support the investigation into the cause of the fire at the Hindu Society of Alberta, in the area of 142 Steet and 133 Avenue; however, the nature of the fire remains undetermined at this time,” EPS spokesperson Blaire Mccalla told CTV News Edmonton on Thursday afternoon.

No one was in the building when firefighters arrived and no injuries have been reported.

The temple was the first Hindu temple established in Alberta.

With files from CTV Edmonton’s Darcy Seaton and Nahreman Issa