The streetscape project in downtown Wheeling has reached the front entrance of the Soup Kitchen of Greater Wheeling. (Photo by Joselyn King)

WHEELING – The smell of fish and other food was prevalent at the Soup Kitchen of Greater Wheeling on Friday despite the streetscape construction happening outside the front door, and a minor fire that occurred there late Thursday evening.

The fire was reported just after 9 p.m. Thursday, according to Phillip Stahl, communications officer for the city of Wheeling. He said officials on the scene determined the fire started near an exhaust pipe and that an investigation was continuing.

“There was a little bit of smoke and minimal water was used (to extinguish the fire),” he said. “There was minimal damage.”

Becky Shilling-Rodocker, executive director of the Soup Kitchen of Greater Wheeling and her husband Scott just happened to be driving by the soup kitchen when they discovered the fire.

“It was divine intervention,” she said. “My husband and I were coming through town and saw a flash of light. There was a fire in the alley.

“It looked worse than it was. The police came and alerted the fire department.”

Shilling-Rodocker described the vent as “odd looking” and leading to the basement.

“It comes up outside into the alley, and this allows garbage to be thrown into it and we don’t see it,” she continued. “It was the garbage that was on fire. We’re just lucky we saw it and it just burned through the garbage. We were very, very lucky. We could have lost the basement.

“I would hope no one is setting the soup kitchen on fire on purpose.”

Shilling-Rocker noted Wheeling firefighters, now located close by in East Wheeling, responded quickly.

“They are our new neighbors,” she said. “They were fast, and we got cleaned up quickly. There was no serious damage. We were back in business this morning.”

Wheeling’s streetscape project has now progressed to the front door of the soup kitchen, located at 1610 Eoff St. The front entrance is blocked by the work to tear up the sidewalks, and patrons and visitors must enter at the side door.

“Everyone is coming in,” Shilling-Rodocker added. “It’s a little bit of inconvenience for years of looking nice and beautiful.”