VIDEO: The nonprofit Mission of Mercy says an RV outfitted to be a mobile doctor’s office for those in need is a complete loss after it caught on fire Tuesday morning. “I just had a real sense of sadness and loss because this is the vehicle -- it's our vehicle of hope,” said Paula Carvalho, Mission of Mercy’s executive director. “We bring this around to restore dignity and to provide patients who don't have access to care."
The fire started a little before 7 a.m. Tuesday, shortly after they’d parked the mobile medical unit in the parking lot of Maryvale Church of the Nazarene.
"To say my heart sunk is an understatement,” said Dr. Brad Smith, a physician who helps patients with Mission of Mercy.
Smith says he quickly called 911 as he watched flames spread from the engine and battery compartments toward the front of the bus. Firefighters quickly put it out, but everything inside had been destroyed.