An overnight fire has destroyed a community soup kitchen in downtown Edmonton.

Fire crews were called out to the blaze at 103A Avenue and 95 Street just before 3 a.m. Saturday.

By the time they arrived, district chief Bill Brown said the flames were already coming through the roof of the single-storey building.

“The exterior walls started to bow and buckle and we were worried about sending anybody inside trying to put the fire out,” he added.

Katey Galligher, who lives across the street, said she was awakened by the fire trucks and ran outside to see the soup kitchen engulfed in flames.

“I was actually worried that this house beside it was going to go on fire,” she said.

Galligher added that it was a big loss for the community.

“I have a lot of experience with this kitchen because when I was a homeless youth I actually came here to eat.”

Brown said they do not believe anyone was inside the building at the time of the fire but the investigation is ongoing.