Massive Fire Destroys NoHo Shelter, Displaces 21 People
NORTH HOLLYWOOD (CBSLA.com) — Authorities are trying to determine the cause of a massive fire that destroyed a rescue mission in North Hollywood and displaced more than a dozen people.
The fire broke out early Saturday morning at a wood pallet warehouse adjacent to the San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission in the 134000 block of Saticoy Street.
"While our guests and staff were able to escape the fire unharmed, the San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission was declared a total loss and our guests are once again displaced," said Wade Trimmer, Executive Director. "This was our center of operations, our headquarters. We're going to have to start over from scratch."
The multi-alarm fire was extinguished about 1:55 a.m., but continued to flare up for more than an hour.
According to the rescue mission, the fire caused $2 million in damage.
The American Red Cross says they've opened a shelter at the Branford Recreation Center, located at 13310 Branford Street in Pacoima, to assist the 21 people who were affected by the fire.
"This fire has not only impacted our guests at the emergency shelter, but may also have a devastating impact on the people who rely on our thrift stores – both customer and employees," said Trimmer.
The cause of the fire remains unknown.
To find out how you can help the rescue mission, click here or call (800) 417-5678.
(©2014 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)
