7- Alarm Fire at the Simple Way

Posted by Rachel on: 06.20.2007 /

I just learned this morning about a tragic fire that has impacted our friend Shane Claiborne and his community the Simple Way. This from the Simple Way website…

6/20/07 12:30PM
This morning, a 7-alarm fire consumed an abandoned warehouse in our Kensington neighborhood in Philadelphia. The Simple Way Community Center at 3200 Potter Street was destroyed as well as at least eight of our neighbors’ homes. Over 100 people were evacuated from their homes, and 400 families are currently without power. Despite this developing tragedy, we are incredibly thankful to share that all of our community members and every one of our neighbors is safely out of harm’s way.

This fire will forever change the fabric of our community. Eight families are currently homeless, and in many cases have lost their vehicles as well as their homes. One of our neighbors, the Mahaias Family, lost their three cars as well as the equipment one family member uses for her massage therapy business. Teenager Brian Mahaias is devastated not because he has lost his belongings, but because he fears that this fire will force him to move away from this neighborhood that is his family as well as his home.

The Simple Way has lost a community center that was home to our Yes! And… afterschool program, community arts center, and Cottage Printworks t-shirt micro-business as well as to two of our community members. Community members Shane Claiborne and Jesce Walz have lost all of their belongings, Yes! And…’s after school studio and library were ruined, and community member Justin Donner’s Cottage Printworks equipment and t-shirts were destroyed. more

8 Responses to "7- Alarm Fire at the Simple Way"

  • Comment by: Karlene

    1 06/20/07 3:35 PM | Comment Link |

    Oh no! What sad news. My prayers are with all those at the Simple Way and the others who lost homes and belongings in this tragic fire.

  • Comment by: joe

    2 06/21/07 3:03 AM | Comment Link |

    aggg.. that isn’t good

  • Comment by: benjamin ady

    3 06/21/07 9:38 AM | Comment Link |

    Rachel,

    Thankyou for posting this.

    Information about where to direct gifts for both the families and for rebuilding the community can be found at Dwight Friesen’s blog here. or at simple way’s blog here

  • Comment by: Elaine

    4 06/22/07 7:34 AM | Comment Link |

    I am very sad to hear of this loss and thankful all are safe.

    How beautiful the fire can be sitting around a campfire with friends. How devastating when it destroys your house and workplace.

    What will rise from these ashes?

  • Comment by: Rachel

    5 06/25/07 8:07 AM | Comment Link |

    Elaine, it sounds as though something beautiful is already beginning to rise from the ashes.

    Here is the latest update from the Simple Way:

    6/22/07 11:25PM

    One of our neighbor kids came up and told us, “I’m ready to help you rebuild because this wasn’t just your house that burnt down, this house was also mine.”

    Last night we had an emergency board meeting to begin making plans for immediate and future goals. From that we are excited to announce a plan to begin rebuilding on the 3200 lot whenever we are able. We will continue to create and re-imagine what this space can be. A number of folks have been working with our insurance company with whom we met today and are hopeful that needed resources can be provided. (Please keep all of this in your prayers)

    There is a lot of momentum in the neighborhood that is leading to the formation of a neighborhood coalition. This community of neighbors will begin a campaign to ensure that the warehouse lot is given back to the neighborhood to become a park and recreation space. On Monday night we will have the first meeting of families whose homes were destroyed or damaged in the near future we will provide next steps for how you can support this campaign. Thanks so much for the prayers and support that we’ve received, well over a hundred gifts from all over the country.

  • Comment by: joe

    6 06/25/07 9:14 AM | Comment Link |

    There is a bit of audio at the moment over on Steve Brown Etc where Shane explains a bit about what has been happening.

  • Comment by: Rachel

    7 06/25/07 10:26 AM | Comment Link |

    Thanks for the link, Joe. It was great to hear about all the support they are receiving.

    Shane said they are now calling themselves the Simpler Way. :-)

  • Comment by: Rachel

    8 06/26/07 2:09 PM | Comment Link |

    Shane has posted an encouraging update on the God’s Politics Blog, which includes more ideas for how to support the Simple Way/Kensington community.

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