A fire broke out at the Budget Lodge located along US Route 6, in Clarendon, PA on Thursday, February 27 at around 10:15pm. Clarendon Volunteer Fire Chief Terry Gregerson said multiple departments responded, including firefighters from Sheffield, Cherry Grove, Pleasant Township, the City of Warren, and Ludlow.  
 
Officials believe the fire started at the back of the building, possibly due to a hot water tank. Two rooms sustained heavy damage, but all residents were safely evacuated. No injuries were reported among guests, firefighters, or EMS personnel.  
 
The lodge’s owner, Archbishop Melchisedeck of the Palestine Orthodox Church of America, expressed gratitude for the quick response from firefighters and the community.  
"I was away at my other monastery and got the word about the fire, and I was very worried," he said. "But I have had so much response from our community and our firefighters. I am very thankful that it was a small fire. It happened in the back of the building, so we are thankful that we will be able to continue to go on. We’ll fix the issue, but the Budget Lodge will continue, the monastery will continue, and our food pantry will also continue to lead on and help so many people in our community."  
 
In addition to operating the lodge, the archbishop runs a chapel, monastery, and food pantry on the property, which serves the homeless in Warren County.

He emphasized the importance of these services, adding, "We will continue to host our brothers and sisters in the community, those who are unfortunate and who need a home. I am very thankful to be able to offer these services through the monastery and the lodge, providing shelter to the homeless and people in trouble. Our food pantry is available to anyone who needs it, and we are thankful that it was not damaged in the fire."  
 
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.