The Lao Buddhist Temple is a total loss after fire destroyed the building on Monday. One monk suffered minor injuries.

Tom Pong says some of the artifacts are more than 100 years old and could be lost forever.

One of the most significant Buddha statues was removed from the building by Westminster firefighters, but another large Buddha had to be left in the building.

Fire investigators are going through debris, but the fire is not believed to be arson. Worries about asbestos are preventing members of the temple from going inside to assess the damage.