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SAN JOSE, CA (April 17, 2018) — American Red Cross volunteers were called by the San Jose Fire Department at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, April 17, 2018, to provide care and comfort to the 100+ residents evacuated due to the 5-alarm apartment fire on McLaughlin in San Jose.
Red Cross volunteers arrived on scene and quickly opened an evacuation center at the complex clubhouse, where residents were able to gather and wait for more information about next steps. Food and emotional support were provided. Also, Red Cross volunteers were able to meet with each family to assess the disaster-related needs.
As of 8 p.m., American Red Cross caseworkers have met with 118 residents and provided to them emotional support, blankets, toiletry kits, financial assistance to cover emergency needs, and helped them with any health needs. All affected residents will be able to stay with friends and family or will be housed temporarily at different units located in the Summer Wind Apartments community. Red Cross is also lending cots to residents staying in empty units. The City of San Jose is providing dinner tonight, and breakfast and carry away lunch tomorrow for those individuals who are currently on site and displaced. The City of San Jose is also providing towels.
Red Cross caseworkers will be back at the complex clubhouse on Wednesday at 11 a.m. to meet with impacted families. The Red Cross will continue to provide assistance as needed in the coming days and weeks as affected residents figure out their next steps.
The first eight volunteers on the scene are members of the Red Cross Disaster Action Team, a group of specially trained volunteers who respond to the scene of a disaster when called upon at any time of the day or night.
The Red Cross responds to an average of three home fires every week in Silicon Valley. The Red Cross recommends two easy steps to help protect your home and loved ones from a fire: get a smoke alarm and create a fire escape plan. For more Red Cross home fire safety tips, visit www.soundthealarm.org/norcalcoastal.
You can help people affected by disasters like home fires and countless other crises by making a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
About the American Red Cross of the Silicon Valley
\n\nThe American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. The American Red Cross of the Silicon Valley serves the residents of Santa Clara County. For more information on disaster preparedness, health and safety classes, volunteer opportunities, and financial contributions, visit our website at redcross.org/siliconvalley or call us at 1-877-727-6771. You may also find us on Facebook and Twitter.