Nine families were displaced by Wednesday evening’s fire on Putnam Heights. Some of these families are from a neighboring house that firefighters “borrowed” to attack the flames from an angle they could not reach with their ladders; they are expected to return once their house is dry. The American Red Cross has been assisting these families by providing financial assistance for food and clothing, along with a personal care kit; residents are being given short-term shelter at a local motel.
The destroyed building’s landlord is reimbursing security deposits to allow smoother transitions as people locate new apartments. Some have already begun the process.
For information about how to donate or volunteer with the local Red Cross, see their website.