A fire Monday night at the Annapolis Light House homeless shelter led to dozens of people being relocated to a nearby recreation center, city officials said.
The emergency shelter, located on Hudson Street near the intersection of West Street and Solomons Island Road, will be closed until further notice, the nonprofit organization announced.
No injuries were reported between fire personnel, Light House residents or staff members.
Annapolis firefighters responded to an alarm at the shelter at approximately 5:35 p.m., according to city officials. Quickly, they found an extinguished fire in a second floor laundry room that did not extend to any other parts of the three story building.
Preliminary investigation suggests that the fire started from a malfunctioning light fixture in the laundry room, city officials said.
The Annapolis Fire Department determined that the building could not be occupied until an electrician’s work could repair the damages and be inspected, temporarily displacing the 70 people staying at the shelter.
Some of the residents were able to receive overnight accommodations with friends or family, city officials said, while 44 people were transported to the Roger “Pip” Moyer Recreation Center on Hilltop Lane.
The city’s Recreation and Parks staff prepared the facility’s gym for overnight guests, according to a release, while its Office of Emergency Management and transit system helped complete the transfer. Naval Support Activity Annapolis also provided assistance, the city said.
“This was a tremendous coordinated effort,” said Heather Cassity, the Light House shelter’s executive director, expressing the organization’s gratitude. “Everyone came together to help our neighbors in need.
“The silver lining of coming out of the pandemic is that it has strengthened the ties that we have with our community partners, and together we can respond with an efficient effort when emergencies happen,” Cassity continued. “We are so grateful that everyone is safe and there are many heroes behind the scenes. We’re eager to have our doors reopen as soon as possible and we are making all efforts for limited interruption.”
The Light House shelter will continue to provide meals, case management services and other basic needs for its displaced residents while they remain at the recreation center.
The Hudson Street building is the organization’s largest and central location. A 24,400 square foot facility, it can shelter 45 individuals and four families who, in addition to basic needs, are provided with mental health support and substance abuse prevention, as well as financial assistance with prescriptions and adult basic education programs.
Once entered into the residential program, individuals can stay at the Hudson Street building for up to three months, while families can stay up to six months, according to the organization’s website. Members of the program have the option to apply for monthly extensions if unable to find housing.
Light House also operates five transitional housing properties throughout Annapolis, which require residents to contribute 30% of their income. These residents may stay in a transitional property for up to two years.
