Photograph by Andrew Williams

A fire broke out on Wednesday, August 12, at a shoe factory next to Fullerton Municipal Airport, sending thick black smoke billowing into the sky. The incident briefly shut down the airport and led to the evacuation of Illumination Health + Home’s (IHH) Fullerton Recuperative Care facility, which helps about 150 medically vulnerable clients recovering from various health issues.

The evacuation began around 12:15 pm as staff quickly moved clients to a designated gathering area at Pritchard and Commonwealth. With temperatures rising, community members sprang into action. A neighbor brought a pop-up tent and chairs for shade, while a local bodega opened its restrooms to clients. IHH staff also brought tents, coolers, ice, and water as they coordinated their next steps.

The Fullerton Police Department blocked off Commonwealth Avenue to keep the area secure, and the Fullerton Fire Department provided updates on the firefighter’s progress. Thanks to a connection made by an IHH fundraising consultant, the Boys & Girls Club offered its air-conditioned gym as a shelter, with help from the City of Fullerton’s Office of Emergency Management to set it up. By 3:00 to 3:30 pm, IHH successfully relocated all clients indoors, making sure to assist those who needed extra support, like wheelchairs or walkers. They also provided water, snacks, and pizza since the evacuation occurred around lunchtime.

IHH staff from other facilities in Anaheim, Santa Ana, and Whittier joined efforts to help transport clients. The Carnegie facility in Santa Ana even provided dinner and breakfast for those displaced by the fire. Some corporate staff members brought supplies from their own homes and picked up ice and other essentials.

Around 4:30 pm, the fire marshal declared the building safe for reentry. However, due to ongoing smoke and the clients’ health needs, IHH decided to keep everyone at the Boys & Girls Club overnight as a precaution. The next day, IHH’s maintenance team replaced all air filters, cleaned any remaining ash and soot, and tested the air quality. Once the air was confirmed safe, clients returned to the facility.