The Albion Fellows Bacon Center shelter located in Evansville is currently shut down due to water damage from a late night kitchen fire.
The center supports and temporarily houses victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
The fire started in the kitchen Thursday, 10:30 at night. It activated the brand new sprinkler system which doused the fire, said Director of Advancement Ashley McReynolds.
“… and it flooded our kitchen, our living room, childrens' area and some of the main living areas.”
It caused a fair amount of water damage, and they’re not sure when they can reopen. Reynolds said an on-site staffer acted quickly to suppress the fire and assist guests to safety, but was injured by smoke. The staff member has been released from the hospital.
The center was housing about 10 guests along with their children and pets at the time, who have all been relocated to other facilities.
McReynolds said Albion Fellows is working with other organizations like the YWCA, the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Holly’s House to keep offering survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking with shelter and crisis intervention services.
“Albion is still here to serve survivors and the community, and we will still answer the call or the email … if someone needs help, and same with if they need shelter — we will work with people to find those shelters.”
McReynolds said there is a misconception that they only serve women, and are only an emergency shelter.
“We also go to court with people, do safety planning, respond to crisis calls like at the hospital, and we have prevention education at middle schools and high schools and several other programs that we run here locally, including support groups.”
In addition to housing the children of survivors, they accept pets into the shelter, should someone be escaping abuse and need to bring their pet.
They serve all genders and languages.
McReynolds said the location of the shelter is private to protect survivors who shelter there. She said contractors and insurance adjusters are on scene, and the fire marshal has already been and gone.