03.05.07
Contact Jennifer Klugh 317-9929

Early Morning Fire Damages Salvation Army Facility

Shortly after 5:30 a.m. this morning, a resident at the Salvation Army Adult Rehab Center noticed smoke coming from the south side of the facility, located at 660 E. 48th Ave.  The resident quickly pulled the fire alarm and AFD crews were on scene within minutes to find heavy black smoke and flames emitting from the roof of the warehouse area on the south side of the facility.  The first arriving engine from Station 4 called a working fire and quickly began attacking the fire, which also involved three donation trucks.  Due to the extent of the involvement, a second alarm was called for a total response of twenty apparatus.  The fire was called under control about 40 minutes later, and crews remained on scene for several hours to continue suppression efforts.

Thirty-five residents and two staff were in the facility at the time of the fire.  All were evacuated safely with no reported injuries.  They waited in a People Mover bus to keep warm and assess their housing situation with the Red Cross and Salvation Army. The damage was confined to the warehouse area and the residential side was left essentially untouched.  If utilities are able to be resorted, the residents will be able to occupy the facility as early as this evening.  In the meantime, they have been provided with alternate housing. The properly functioning sprinkler system and fire alarms contributed to the minimal damage to the facility.  Damage totals are about $130,000 ($50,000 to the warehouse and $80,000 to the three vehicles).

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but appears to have originated outside of the warehouse area, under or near one of the delivery trucks.  If you have any information on the fire, please contact Crime Stoppers at 561-STOP.