Baker House officials pledge to continue programs, despite fire damage

(George Rizer/Globe Staff)

By John R. Ellement and Donovan Slack, Globe Staff

Investigators believe that arson was the cause of a fire at the Ella J. Baker House overnight that charred the rear of the Dorchester community center, according to an official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

No one was injured in the blaze, but it caused an estimated $350,000 to $500,000 in damage. Investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives are on the scene because the building housed a chapel. It is a federal crime to burn a church.

“I don’t know why anyone would want to burn down a community center and a church that serves some of the most neglected children in this city,’’ said Rev. Eugene F. Rivers 3d, who runs the Baker House. “I can imagine, although I can’t confirm this, that it may have been a disgruntled ex-employee or some individual that has personal hostility against me."

At a news conference this afternoon, Baker House officials, including Rivers, executive director Kevin Peterson, and Leonard Lee, chairman of the board of directors, addressed reporters. They were flanked by teenagers who go regularly to the Baker House, which has after-school programs and mentors young people at risk of joining gangs or becoming violent.

Lee vowed to keep the programs at the House going.

"If we have to pitch a tent in the front of this building so that we can serve this community, then that is what we will do," he said. "Our doors will open again."

Officials said that they hope that in the next week they can open office space the Baker House owns on Washington Street.

"The fire that drives us is just as strong, stronger in fact, much stronger, than the fire that consumed a portion of this building," said Rev. Mark Scott, a senior pastor of the Azusa Christian Community, a church based inside the Baker House.

Teenagers who rely on the center said they were horrified to learn of the fire and said they would help rebuild it.

"I kind of pretty much love the place," said Laurence Graham, a 16-year-old freshman at Charlestown High School who lives in Dorchester. "Why would anyone try to burn this place? There is no answer to find out why someone would try to get rid of such a positive place in the community."

The two-alarm fire was first reported at 10:40 p.m., said spokesman Steve MacDonald of the Boston Fire Department. The flames burned a rear wooden stairwell. The house also sustained interior smoke and water damage when Boston firefighters extinguished the blaze.

Rivers said he and others participated in a Bible study class Wednesday that ended around 8:45 p.m. He was notified about the fire around 11:15 p.m.

The Baker House has had recent financial troubles and staff members have been laid off, the Globe reported last year.

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