‘What am I going to do?’: Fresno nonprofit, boutique catches fire

FRESNO, Calif. ( KSEE/KGPE ) – A Fresno nonprofit caught fire early Thursday morning.

Fresno Fire said the fire started from the exterior and made its way into Danger Aware, located on North Fresno Street.

“When things like this occur, it impacts more than just the business, it’s the community that’s impacted,” said Josh Sellers, Fresno Fire’s public information officer.

Danger Aware helped prevent child abuse through free books, videos, and games online.

“So that they can gain knowledge of behaviors, to be able to call them out before greater abuse is done,” said Fonda Lehman, owner and director of Danger Aware.

The building contained several units. The room in the front of the building sustained the most damage.

“There’s no water, there’s nothing, so I’m pretty much packing up and moving out,” said Emily Navarro, who runs Turn Around Boutique.

The Turn Around Boutique was also housed inside the building and is associated with the charity.

“We sold new and used, we helped out a lot of the community, we gave out food, sometimes when we had it, we gave out close to the homeless, we sell anything and everything,” Navarro explained.

The nonprofit has another location off Keats Avenue, but the space is not big enough for Navarro and her boutique.

“The little bit of money I make every day is something extra for me to be able to survive, so now without it, I’m concerned, what am I going to do?” Navarro said.

Fire investigators are collecting surveillance footage to determine the cause and locate possible witnesses.

To donate to Danger Aware, visit their second location at 433 E Keats in Fresno.

To donate to Emily and the Turn Around Boutique, click here .

Turn Around Boutique is giving away free clothes and shoes for all ages and sizes. Residents can pick them up at 2503 N. Fresno St., starting at 10 a.m.

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