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Booth didn’t know whether anyone was at the temple when the fire started, however, there were no reported injuries.

Fire investigators remained at the scene on Friday morning. The cause of the fire has not been determined, however it’s believed to have started in the rear gallery.

Kashmir Singh Dhaliwal, general secretary for the Khalsa Diwan Society, which runs the temple, said the fire was restricted to one room, but the smoke and water damage to the temple is extensive. Society members who were allowed inside around 10 a.m. on Friday saw that the floors and carpets were ruined and the drywall will have to be replaced. Windows and skylights were broken for ventilation and holes cut in the roof.

“They are saying there is big damage,” said Dhaliwal.

The temple, which was built in 1970, was renovated last year to the tune of $2.1 million. He said they have no idea how much repairs will cost or how long they will take, but the temple will be closed for at least two months.

A smaller building across from the temple, which can accommodate 200 to 300 people, is now being used for daily prayers — 500 to 600 people go to the temple to pray each weekday and 1,000 to 2,000 per day on weekends — and Dhaliwal said tents will be erected in the parking lot to accommodate more people and hold the weddings that are booked for every weekend for the next few months.

“It’s up to the families if they want to do it in the tent or move to the other temples,” he said.

A wedding that was scheduled to take place on Saturday is expected to be moved to another temple or a banquet hall, Dhaliwal said.

Dhaliwal said the society members were shocked to hear about the fire, but the temple membership and community have been very supportive and helpful.

On its Facebook page, the society thanked firefighters for their “immediate” response to the fire.

“This is a time for solidarity and we must stand together United,” the society wrote.

jensaltman@postmedia.com

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