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Home » About Us » Fire May 2005



Fire at The Access Center for Persons with Disabilities

At approximately 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 15, 2005, fire broke out at the Access Center of San Diego’s building at 1295 University Ave. in Hillcrest. The blaze totally gutted the Spoke Shop on the first floor, despite the valiant efforts of the San Diego Fire Department. Damage was estimated at $500,000.

The operations of the Access Center were seriously disrupted. The elevators were knocked out; there was smoke damage and water damage. The firefighters quickly stopped the blaze as it started to spread to the second floor but as a result there were broken-down doors, broken glass, some damage to our new carpeting, and minor structural damage (e.g., holes in some walls), which effectively blocked all access to and use of the 2nd floor offices of the Access Center.

Emergency quarters were set up in the nearby “Living Room” coffee house, and the LGBT Center offered to house some staff members on a temporary basis.

The Spoke Shop lost its ability to repair scooters, wheelchairs, and other mobility equipment. The Access Center’s insurance company has been providing financial assistance for replacing many of the damaged tools, which are valued roughly at $200,000.

Unfortunately, all of the inventory, as well as the entire electrical system, the newly installed smoke, fire and burglar alarm system, all Spoke Shop computers, specialized printers (and other peripherals), telephones, and other equipment was entirely destroyed by the fire. All of these items are critical to our mission and to ensuring that the Spoke Shop can reopen and serve the growing number of consumers as soon as possible.

Overall, we expect it will take $3 million to put the Access Center in the appropriate condition to achieve our mission.