3-alarm fire damages RVA Light nonprofit space on West Broad Street

A 3-alarm fire last week caused extensive damage to a historic building on West Broad Street in Richmond, affecting apartments, several businesses, and the nonprofit RVA Light's space, NBC12 reported.

RVA Light had moved into the space in May to expand its services, providing meals and resources to those in need. The fire damaged walls, floorboards, and much of the organization's office, according to Alec Young, the nonprofit's executive director and operations manager.

Young described rushing to the scene after receiving a call about the fire. He noted that the organization had only been in the space a short time before the blaze caused major losses.

Despite the setback, RVA Light plans to continue its mission by providing key resources outside, such as assistance with driver's licenses and transportation, as the nonprofit figures out its next steps.

An online fundraiser has raised over $10,000 to help RVA Light recover from the damage. Young expressed gratitude for community support, calling Richmond "a city of love and community."

Richmond Fire has not yet released a cause for the fire, and cleanup efforts are ongoing around the damaged building.