Ten years later: Washington City Mission reflects on devastating fire
On Monday, Washington City Mission held a service in their chapel reflecting on the devastating effects of a fire 10 years ago, and the outpouring of support that followed.
The fire occurred the morning of June 9, 2015. The blaze started in the kitchen, and spread through the men’s dormitories, medical clinic and chapel.
The West Wheeling Street building was uninhabitable for the next several months. Almost immediately, donations began to pour in from the community and local businesses.
“There has been such incredible growth of property and services that have been provided since the fire 10 years ago,” said Diana Irey Vaughan, the president and CEO of City Mission. “The community responded in an overwhelming show of support to allow City Mission to support those who are unhoused.”
At the time of the fire, Irey Vaughan was still a Washington County commissioner. Soon after she began personally raising money for City Mission by running in various 5k, 10k, half marathon and full marathon races.
“I’ve raised close to a quarter of a million dollars since then,” Irey Vaughan said.
Since then their shelter capacity has increased from 96 beds to 174 beds, according to a press release issued by the mission. In 2017 City Mission built a new commercial grade kitchen. In 2024, they were able to serve 84,912 meals to the community.
City Mission plans to expand even further with a 50-bed women’s shelter scheduled to open in September.
It has been a remarkable bounce-back following a period that Irey Vaughan says was filled with uncertainty over whether City Mission would be able to rebuild.
“There was concern whether the mission could recover, and rise again. Concern that the city of Washington could have a great problem with homelessness if City Mission could not rebuild,” Irey Vaughan said. “God moved the hearts of so many individuals in the greater Washington community.”
Irey Vaughan said Monday’s service focused on the “transformation” of City Mission since the fire. She called it a “symbol of hope to individuals in our community that are hurting and in need.
“God will meet your needs,” Irey Vaughan said.