OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – A Salvation Army building was torched Monday night in Kissimmee as the organization prepared for the upcoming holiday season, according to organization officials.
In a news release, the Salvation Army said that the service unit at 700 Union Street had been vandalized and set on fire, with the suspected arsonist believed to be someone who previously frequented the building for services.
Officials said Cordearo Lee Mable, 37, was arrested after he admitted to starting the fire.
Capt. Ken Chapman, the area commander of the Salvation Army, told News 6 that Mable had been trespassed from the building earlier in the day and had threatened to return at night to burn it down.
According to a charging affidavit, Mable told police when they arrived, “You’re gonna have to process me in a second” and later said, “I did it,” referring to the fire. Someone at the Salvation Army told police that Mable came in Monday morning and became angry when he was asked to leave, making threats like the staff would “all burn up” and “I’m setting the Salvation Army on fire.”
The unit provided daily services to those who were either homeless or “precariously housed” and gave hot meals, laundry, showers, a food pantry and utility and rental assistance.
“We pray for those who express themselves in this destructive manner and are grateful for the first responders on scene right now,” the Salvation Army said. “This could not come at a worse time as we enter our busiest season of the year and see the greatest need throughout our community.”
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Officials added that the iconic Red Kettles were damaged in the fire, along with the kitchen, food pantry and a new industrial washer and dryer.
Osceola County Commissioner Peggy Choudhry said the county is helping the Salvation Army with emergency relief.
“People have lots of hardships today, with housing issues, with groceries being so expensive, people have a need and I’m not just talking about those who are precariously housed or the homeless. I’m talking about an average American,” she said. “We have to have an organization like The Salvation Army to continue these services. This is not going to stop them, and I’m here to support them and continue the efforts.”
Following the fire, First Baptist Church stepped up to help feed the homeless on Tuesday.
“Our church started this ministry to feed the homeless here. We had about 30 churches that volunteered and helped with us, and of course The Salvation Army came in and partnered with us right before COVID and took it over,” Pastor Tim Wilder said. “We’re still connected to it. We give, we serve, and when we heard about this, you know, we brought pizza to feed the homeless.”
The Salvation Army explained that it is not yet known if and when the building will be operational again.
“This is a devastating loss for the people of Kissimmee and Osceola County who rely on The Salvation Army for daily assistance,” Chapman said.
According to Chapman, the entire building was a loss.
Mable faces arson and burglary charges.
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