Fresno Mission Thrift Sustains Third Fire in Two Weeks, Cause Under Investigation

Fresno Mission Thrift has experienced its third fire in just over two weeks, with the latest blaze destroying hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of donated goods and prompting a significant emergency response. While the first two fires, which occurred on July 10 and 11, were ruled accidental, the cause of Sunday's fire remains under investigation, with some officials and CEO Matthew Dildine expressing suspicion about potential arson due to the unusual frequency of incidents. Each fire started in separate donation piles around the property, and although no direct evidence of foul play has been found, the pattern has raised concerns among both the store's leadership and investigators. The fires have forced the thrift store to pause its services, severely impacting its ability to support community programs for homelessness, addiction recovery, and reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals. The Fresno Fire Department continues to review surveillance footage and collect evidence, while the charity encourages ongoing community support and donations during the closure. Despite the setbacks, store officials remain committed to resuming operations and aiding the community once investigations and cleanup are complete.