Just two months later, on the afternoon of June 25, 1987, the house was heavily damaged in a three-alarm fire which burned for several hours, destroying the entire third floor. The rest of the house and its contents suffered extensive water damage. Good neighbors from across the street opened their home to us, providing temporary shelter for what turned out to be a period of six months.

The decision to restore the 18th Ave Peace House was made easier after friends and even strangers sent financial contributions and offered to donate thousands of hours of volunteer labor. The reconstruction was completed in time for an open house and service of dedication on June 25th, 1988--the first anniversary of the disaster.