MENTAL health services at Wangaratta have been dealt a blow with fire destroying a clinic in the town.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The North East Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service building was badly damaged on Monday night.
The blaze, which may have been caused by an electrical fault, started in the building and spread to Cafe The Pre Vue at the back of the property.
Nicole Robinson has a young relative who attends the Faithful Street facility and said she was not sure where she would now receive treatment.
“She’s been coming for a few years on and off,” she said.
“She had just got onto a really good case manager and had an appointment (today).
“She is in desperate need of mental health treatment.”
Speaking outside the clinic yesterday, Ms Robinson said it was hard to find mental health services in the region and said she had travelled as far as Melbourne in search of treatment.
The fire caused major damage to the building and appeared to have burnt computers and paperwork.
Albury Wodonga Health acting executive mental health director Michael Nuck said contingencies had been put in place.
“We will contact those receiving our services to make alternative arrangements for follow-up,” he said.
Mick Lloyd, who owns the mental health building and Cafe The Pre Vue, and three adjacent buildings that were not damaged, estimated the damage to be valued at several million dollars.
His daughter Ali Alexander owns Cafe The Pre Vue and said she hoped to have the building fixed within two or three months.
Ms Alexander has vowed to get the business back up and running.
Regular customer Joel Manfield said it was sad to see the damage caused by the blaze.
“I come here every Tuesday and often bring my friends and family,” he said.
Customer Costa Aivaliotis was shocked to see the damage yesterday.
Police are treating the fire as non-suspicious.