The Salvation Army says a massive fire caught on video destroyed its Union City, New Jersey location, dealing a “big blow” to the charity during one of its “busiest seasons”.
The fire broke out around 6:30 p.m. Thursday night at a 10,000-square-foot store that the Salvation Army says has been a part of the New York City-area community for more than 30 years.
“The building and its contents appear to be a total loss,” the organization said Friday morning in a statement obtained by Fox News Digital.
“As of this morning, it is our understanding that no injuries have been reported,” he added. “The Union City Fire Department is investigating the cause of the fire and will provide further details as they become available.”
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The fire on Thursday night appears to have turned the store into a “total loss”, says the Salvation Army.
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Video taken from a bystander at the scene shows raging flames as firefighters tried to control the blaze.
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“We are deeply saddened by the loss of our store and the merchandise it contains,” Lt. Col. James Betts, commanding officer of the Salvation Army’s US Eastern Territory Adult Rehabilitation Centers, said in a statement. “Our Union City store is a major source of funding for our Adult Rehabilitation Center in Newark.
The Union City Fire Department is investigating the cause of the fire, the Salvation Army says.
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“Men who have lost everything to alcohol, drugs, homelessness and other challenges come to the Center seeking hope and support to recover from these problems so they can reintegrate into society and be reunited with their families,” she added. “The loss of the Union City thrift store is a huge blow to The Salvation Army during one of our busiest seasons.”
The store was part of the Union City, New Jersey, community for more than 30 years, The Salvation Army says.
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The Salvation Army says, “Donations of clothing, shoes and other household items can still be made at other stores in New Jersey, including the flagship store and warehouse on Pennington Street in Newark.”
