PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A nonprofit organization in the Francisville neighborhood of the city that has been helping homeless people for more than 50 years hopes to rebuild after a fire earlier this week destroyed the three-story building it operates from.
The Mary Jane Home Enrichment Center near 16th Street and Ridge Avenue was destroyed by a fire this week, and it will be demolished following a Fire Marshal's Office investigation.
Neighbors told KYW news-gathering partner NBC10 that Edna Williams, who ran the nonprofit, has helped many people for decades and everybody in the neighborhood knows her. They say they’re sad to know that the building has to come down.
Williams says she hopes to rebuild.
“It’s a tragic event, because we would help the community — feeding the community, clothing, housing people … always been there for the community for 53 years. We’re struggling now, because the city says they are going to tear it down and we are struggling with our plans as far as the funding,” she told NBC10.
"The focus of the day is to come out strong and to rebuild and greater. Greater. Greater. I continue to help my people and feed my people and clothe my people."
Officials say about 20 people were displaced, but no one was injured.
The Philadelphia Fire Department posted on social media that they responded to 14 working fires during Presidents’ Day weekend. They also remind residents of Philadelphia: Anyone who needs a smoke alarm should call 311.