Fire destroyed 1,000 Christmas toys for Cleveland kids

A May fire in a storage unit wiped out the Christmas toys planned for 1,000 children in Cuyahoga County.

The Greater Cleveland Salvation Army stored the inventory in a unit that caught fire, causing $30,000 in damage. Captain Joel Ashcraft, the area commander, said the cause was electrical. He described the scene as overwhelming, noting that the smell was immediate upon entering the space. The agency lost every item, whether damaged directly by flames or by the water used to extinguish the blaze.

Ashcraft said the incident was not anyone's fault but emphasized that children would bear the consequences if replacements do not arrive. The organization serves 6,000 children across Cleveland and Cuyahoga County annually. This year, the agency aims to maintain that number despite the loss.

To replace the lost items, the Salvation Army is asking for toys priced between $20 and $30. The goal is to have all gifts ready by early to mid-December. Residents can donate through WalmartAngelTree.com. Monetary donations and additional information are available by calling 216-861-8185 or visiting SalvationArmyCleveland.com.

Ashcraft urged Cleveland residents to step up and ensure no child wakes up on Christmas Day without a present. He described the effort as a chance for neighbors to become a child's hero this holiday season.