A fire extinguisher still hooks on the wall near a scorched stove and counter two days after a fire blackened the interior of the Salvation Army in Norwich.
Even more frustrating to the people who rely on the Salvation Army for help in hard times is the loss of one ton of food that was to be given away.
Without electricity, it can't be properly stored, said Capt. Jerry Uttley of the Salvation Army. He expects to open the food pantry after Labor Day at United Congregational Church across from City Hall in Norwich.
But Nathaniel Champagne found the door locked for the Tuesday afternoon food pantry in the building on Main Street.
"I was expecting maybe they would have been open so I could get food here, so I could talk to them about food," he said. "I'm very hungry."
Capt. Uttley said the Salvation Army in Norwich gave food or clothing 17,000 times last year.
People who want to help the Salvation Army can donate nonperishable food items at the Norwichtown Stop and Shop between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday.
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He said he thinks the cause of the fire was electrical but investigators have not finished their work.
