Quinte News has learned that what used to be the Church of the Firstborn in the heart of Belleville was trashed sometime earlier this week.
Some of the mess and damage inside the former church. (Photo: Quinte News)
A person who helped secure the now vacant building when authorities responded Wednesday afternoon said a window had been smashed in and that inside chairs, take-out food containers, needles and other drug paraphernalia were lying everywhere.
Toilets were overflowing, plumbing smashed, and two inches of water covered a floor.
Blankets and other personal belongings lay on the parking lot beside the entrance.
Personal belongings strewn about the parking lot near the building’s main entrance. Plywood covers a smashed window. (Photo: Quinte News)
The building is located at the corner of Station and Church streets.
A fire department official says they are working with the owner of the building who is from outside the Quinte region to ensure the building is made secure and safe.
Fire Prevention Officer Brad Reynolds says any owner of a vacant building has responsibilities and heavy penalties can be levied depending on the severity of the infractions.
A spokesman for the Belleville Police Service said the service had received no complaints regarding any incident at the building.
