LEBANON - A fire broke out at the Pregnancy Alternatives Center in downtown Lebanon this morning, causing heavy damage to the attic and roof windows with lesser damage throughout the building.

Fire officials had not identified a cause this morning but called it suspicious. An investigation is under way.

The Pregnancy Alternatives Center on its website bills itself as "a non-profit, volunteer-based, Christian organization dedicated to helping women through unplanned pregnancies."

The center offers a variety of services to pregnant women, from clothing and baby furniture to ultrasounds, all free of charge.

"We're just incredibly sad for the girls that we serve and the community that supports us," said Executive Director Debbie Tracy. "We'll be back."

Firefighters responded to the fire at 5:52 this morning and reported seeing smoke and fire coming out the roof windows.

A second alarm was sounded, which brought additional firefighters from Albany, Sweet Home, Brownsville and Scio.

One firefighter injured a leg in the effort and was treated at Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital.

The fire was brought under control around 7:15, said Lebanon Fire Prevention Specialist Jon Davis.

The fire department is being assisted in its investigation by the Lebanon Police Department, Oregon Fire Marshal's Office, Oregon State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

The pregnancy center has been at the location on West Vine Street for 19 years, Tracy said, and has served more than 15,000 women.

On May 1, it expanded its services to include a medical clinic, offering pregnancy tests and ultrasounds administered by volunteer doctors and nurses.

The center is supported entirely by donations and receives no outside government funding, Tracy said.

In February, the center was completely remodeled with donated labor and materials.

"We had new windows, a new roof, new paint," Tracy said. "That's why you see some of our employees out here with tears."

The center has about five part-time employees and around 50 volunteer staff.

Firefighters were able to save the clinic's new ultrasound machine, valued at $50,000.

"That's the most expensive piece of equipment we have," Tracy said.

Tracy said she will alert the newspaper once the center has found new accomodations for its clients.