By Allison Flexner

Laventrian Holliday has not been inside his apartment since a massive fire broke out at the Reserve at LaVista Walk apartment complex in Atlanta, GA. In the early morning hours of November 10, his roommate woke him up to the smell of smoke and the sound of a fire alarm. Then came the bang on the door from the sheriff’s department, telling them to evacuate. Holliday grabbed his laptop and iPad.

“I had no idea that would be the last time either of us would be in the building,” Holliday said. A few minutes later the building was an inferno. Holliday was in tears. His mother was adamant he call the American Red Cross.

“I was stressed out, depressed, so they offered some services, mental health services,” said Holliday. “And just to know that somebody has been through this before and can help you get back on track with their experience and stuff, it was real helpful.”

American Red Cross of Georgia staff and volunteers are still helping those impacted by the devastating fire at the Reserve at LaVista Walk.

“Our recovery team will continue to work with residents that were impacted to ensure that they are able to get back on their feet, and we will continue to work with partners and the general community to get resources and assistance in the hands of as many individuals and families as possible,” said Camille Melendez, Diverse Communities Manager, Disaster Services, the American Red Cross of Georgia.

So far, the Red Cross has helped over 350 people impacted by the fire through direct client assistance, recovery planning and emotional support to meet their disaster-caused needs. Red Cross volunteers and partners have also served over 500 meals and snacks to those affected. All Red Cross disaster assistance is free and made possible through the generosity of the community.

“The response from our partners and overall community here in Atlanta was incredible to witness, and their willingness to continue helping everyone that was impacted to this day speaks volumes,” said Melendez.

The apartment complex has 283 units identified as destroyed or with significant damage.

Home fires are this country’s deadliest and most frequent type of disaster. Seven people in the U.S. lose their lives to a fire in their home every day.

Because of these tragic statistics, the American Red Cross launched its Home Fire Campaign to reduce home fire-related deaths and injuries. Since its start in 2014, the campaign is credited with helping save more than 2,000 lives, including 240 right here in Georgia. Roughly one-third of those who survived were children.

HOW TO HELP: The American Red Cross responds to more than 60,000 disasters per year, the majority of which are home fires. Your financial donation to the Red Cross helps provide shelter, meals, relief supplies, emotional support, recovery planning and other assistance during disasters. Visit redcross.org/georgia to help those in need.

HOW TO STAY SAFE:  Follow these safety tips, which can also be downloaded on the free Red Cross Emergency app (search “American Red Cross” in mobile app stores).

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.