Red Cross Opening Shelter for Residents Displaced by Forest Avenue Fire

Disaster Action Team also assisting residents following fire on Timon St

Red Cross shelter at St. Paul's Cathedral in downtown
Buffalo for residents displaced by an apartment fire on
Forest Avenue

BUFFALO, NY, February 22, 2013– Volunteers from the American Red Cross, Serving Erie & Niagara Counties are currently opening a shelter for residents displaced by an apartment fire on Forest Avenue in the City of Buffalo overnight which displaced a total of 27 people. That shelter is located at St. Paul’s Cathedral, 128 Pearl Street in Buffalo.

“The Red Cross would like to thank St. Paul’s Cathedral for opening its doors to these neighbors in need who have lost everything,” said Kenneth Turner, Chief Programs Officer. “We also want to thank the NFTA, who provided a warm bus for our volunteers to meet with these clients on scene and is providing transportation for our clients to Social Services and to the shelter as needed, as well as our amazing volunteers for answering the call to help those in need in the middle of the night.”

Earlier Friday morning, Disaster Action Team volunteers responded to a separate fire on Timon Street in Buffalo. Four residents have been placed in a local hotel on a temporary basis, and it is possible additional residents may need assistance. Red Cross assistance typically includes vouchers for temporary housing, food, clothing, and emotional support for those displaced by a fire. Clients are then expected to meet with caseworkers in the coming days to work out a longer-term recovery plan.

The Disaster Action Team is a group of specially trained volunteers who respond to the scene of a local disaster when called upon 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. For more information on how to Join Us as a Disaster Action Team member, please call (716) 878-2140 or visit www.redcross.org/buffaloniagara.

The American Red Cross, Serving Erie & Niagara Counties spends an average of just over $1,000 when responding to a single house fire affecting a family of four.  To make a financial donation to those affected by house fires and other disasters down the street, across the country, or around the world, please visit www.redcross.org, call 1-800-REDCROSS, or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation (charges will appear on your cell phone bill).