Fire Breaks Out at Fort Collins Rescue Mission: Facility Temporarily Closed

UPDATE – September 3, 2025

You stepped in when it mattered most – thank you!

The fire that struck FCRM turned our world upside down. In the middle of it all, you showed up.

American Red Cross
City of Fort Collins
Foothills Unitarian Church
Fort Collins Police Department, HOPE Team
Ginger & Baker

Larimer County
Little Caesar’s Pizza
Murphy Center of Hope
NoCo Foundation
Old Town Library

Outreach Fort Collins
Poudre Fire Authority
Serve 6.8
Timberline Church
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints

A fire broke out in the kitchen at Fort Collins Rescue Mission on Saturday, August 23, 2025. Thanks to the incredible response from the Poudre Fire Department, the fire was quickly extinguished, but not before causing extensive damage.

Most importantly, everyone is safe. None of the roughly 80 shelter guests or Mission staff were injured and for that, we are deeply grateful. Our staff did exactly what they are trained to do in emergency situations like this.

They helped evacuate around 80 guests, and remained available to help them find shelter for that evening as well.

The fire started in the kitchen just after dinner, as guests were settling into mats on the floor of the dining room and the bunk area nearby.

Our guests left the building without their belongings and were able to stay at a Red Cross shelter Saturday evening.

This is one of the hardest challenges Fort Collins Rescue Mission has ever faced. Still, our commitment to this community and to our neighbors experiencing homelessness is stronger than ever.

What We Know About the Damage

While the investigation by the fire department is still underway, it appears the fire originated in the kitchen, likely due to a malfunction of kitchen equipment.

The damage is extensive. The kitchen’s roof was engulfed in flames, and its walls are blackened with soot. Much of the ceiling was destroyed, leaving insulation and ductwork exposed. The floors are covered in ash and there’s exposed wiring. The fire also damaged the adjacent office space. Electric and gas were quickly shut off to prevent any further damage per safety protocols. The entire building has been impacted by smoke damage.

Before

After

What’s Next for Our Guests and Staff

Shelter services have moved to the Mason Street Shelter, the Mission’s traditional winter overflow shelter that is run in partnership with the city. Normally, that shelter would open in November to provide an additional 70 beds in the coldest months–now it is our temporary home base.

With the support of our community, the Mission will continue to provide meals for guests, using the kitchen at Harvest Farm to prepare breakfast and dinner meals, then deliver them to the new downtown location.

Men in the New Life Program (NLP) at Harvest Farm who are working through their own journeys to overcome homelessness are stepping up to help fill this critical need. They know what it’s like to be homeless, and many of them came through Fort Collins Rescue Mission’s shelter to arrive at Harvest Farm, making this very personal for them.

Your Help Matters Now More Than Ever

For the time being, the Mission has suspended all volunteer opportunities at Fort Collins Rescue Mission as it focuses on the immediate needs of its guests and assesses the damage. The Mission will provide an update as soon as it is able to welcome volunteers back.

This crisis underscores two urgent needs:

Immediate operational support
The critical importance of the new building campaign

Please pray for the guests. It is hard enough to experience homelessness and do everything you can to get back on your feet. Imagine the trauma of a fire in the shelter you live in. It may be the last straw that makes someone give up. Please pray that does not happen.

The Mission could be displaced for months, and those who rely on it to escape homelessness are ultimately the ones who suffer. Insurance settlements will take time, there will be an unexpected deductible to cover and the cost of helping neighbors in need while the Mission is displaced from its own home will bring unforeseen expenses.

HELP NOW

Please Give Anything You Can Today

The Mission expects there will be significant increased needs, which is why it needs you now more than ever. A box truck will be accepting donations in the Fort Collins Rescue Mission parking lot.

Donation Drop Off Hours:

10 a.m. to noon
Monday through Friday

Items accepted at this location:

Non-perishable food
Men’s clothing in good condition

With your help, the Mission can come back stronger, able to help end homelessness in the lives of even more neighbors in need. Donate today directly to our efforts to help those in the community during this crisis or donate items through our Amazon Wishlist:

DROP OFF ITEMS SHOP WISHLIST