Fire at Care NH office Oct. 3

October 15, 2026

By Michael Riley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Care North Hastings office caught fire on the evening of Oct. 3, but was put out with the quick response from the Bancroft Fire Department. Jennifer Kauffeldt, Care NH’s executive director, shared the information on a posting on the organization’s Facebook page on the night of Oct. 3.

Kauffeldt revealed that unfortunately the Care NH office has suffered a fire, and thanking local firefighters for their hard work keeping the fire contained to their offices.

“No one was hurt thankfully. Our office will be closed to the public until further notice. Please be patient as we navigate a fire investigation and next steps. Our team is shocked and saddened. Meals on Wheels will be cancelled this coming week. Please do not attend our office at this time. Thank you. Stay tuned,” she says.

A volunteer-based, registered charity, Care NH is committed to offering programs and services to seniors 55 years of age and older and adults over the age of 18 years with a disability. Through care and support, their services assist individuals with independent living by providing reliable support systems and relevant programs to cope with life transitions. They help those in North Hastings, Highlands East and the District of Nipissing. For more information, go to www.carenorthhastings.org.

The Bancroft Times reached out to the Bancroft Fire Department and the OPP for further comment on this fire, but did not hear back by press time.

Kauffeldt told The Bancroft Times on Sept. 4 that they can confirm that no one was in the office at the time of the fire and nobody was hurt.

“Evacuation of the manor was avoided. Fire started at back office, and no cause is known yet,” she says. “Our office will be closed a week at a time, but we will still be working.”