From Staff Reports
What an alleged arsonist destroyed Sunday night was more than just a storage building.

It housed enough good furniture to supply two needy families with necessities.

“This furniture is given to us, and we make sure it goes back into the community at no cost to those in need,” said Bill Sexton, director of the men’s mission.

Today, it all lies in ashes.

A mobile home that McDowell Mission Ministries uses for storage went up in flames shortly before 9 p.m. The trailer was located behind the Mission’s main building on State Street.

Marion fire officials told officers that it appeared the blaze was intentionally set.

Witnesses reported seeing a suspect leave the premises shortly before smoke and fire began billowing from the mobile home, according to reports from the Marion Police Department.

Mission employees said the trailer has had no electricity for about a year.

Officials at the Mission say cleanup will not be an easy – or inexpensive – task.

“Now we will have to tear it all down, separate everything from the metal and haul everything off,” said Tom Reimuth, the maintenance director.

The agency did not have insurance on the building. Officials stated that they could use a dump truck, front-end loader and some labor – like from a men’s church group – for a few hours to help with the cleanup and rebuilding process.

Damage was estimated at $1,500.

The suspect witnesses saw at the blaze is described as a white male standing 6 feet tall and weighing approximately 160 pounds. He has a medium build and blond hair and walks with a limp.

Anyone with information about the crime or the perpetrator is asked to call the Marion Police Department at 652-3231 or McDowell County Crimestoppers at 65-CRIME. With Crimestoppers, your identity remains anonymous, and you could receive a cash reward.