Volunteers providing
shelter, food, clothing and support after six incidents
BUFFALO, NY, November 4, 2013 – American Red Cross
volunteers are assisting with the immediate emergency needs of 26 people
following six separate fires or other disasters in the Western New York/Finger
Lakes Regions over the weekend. Red Cross assistance typically includes
vouchers for temporary housing, food and clothing as well as mental health
support. The families will then meet with caseworkers at their local Red Cross
headquarters to develop a long-term recovery plan. Several of these incidents
took place at multi-unit buildings, so it is possible additional residents will
come forward seeking assistance.
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| Fire scene on Steuben St. in Corning. Photo courtesy Corning Leader |
On Saturday, volunteers from the Disaster Action
Team (DAT) were called to Gasport Road in Lockport, where they assisted two
adults affected by a house fire. Also Saturday, volunteers assisted three
people displaced after a car drove through their Williams Street home in
Elmira. Sunday, DAT members assisted seven people after an apartment fire on
Steuben Street in Corning. Also Sunday, volunteers responded to a fire at the
Russo Building on Park Place in Fredonia, assisting 11 people who had been
displaced, while a separate team of volunteers assisted two people following a
fire on Webster Road in Brocton. Early Monday morning, DAT members responded to
the scene of a fire on North Division in Buffalo to provide assistance to one person
that had been displaced.
The
American Red Cross spends an average of just over $1,000 when responding to a
single house fire affecting a family of four.
To support people affected by house fires and other disasters, please
consider making a donation to the Disaster Relief Fund at www.redcross.org, by calling
1-800-REDCROSS, or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation
(charges will appear on your cell phone bill).
