Written by Anabel Monge, Communications Manager for the Illinois Red Cross

Saturday nights are family nights in the home of sisters Elizabeth Romero and Yusmery Marin. Step inside on any given weekend and you’ll find a table full of comfort food, laughter, lively conversations and the kids perfecting the latest social media trend.

But on a cold night in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood, their tradition took an unexpected turn.

“We heard screaming outside, we hand no idea what was going on,” said Elizabeth. “We stepped out and immediately saw the flames coming from the house next door.”  

As they watched the fire grow, they never imagined it would reach their own building. In just seconds, the flames became more intense, and suddenly the fire spread to our home. We never expected that to happen,” shared Yusmery.

With no time to spare, the family ran out wearing only what they had on, no jackets, just slippers. During a home fire, families often have as little as two minutes to escape safely. The shock of the moment quickly collided with the freezing temperatures, snow, and strong winds. And then, compassion arrived.

“We felt so much comfort when we saw the Red Cross volunteers,” said Elizabeth. “They showed us empathy. They met our essential needs, gave us food, water, blankets, and they got us out of the cold. It meant everything in that moment.”

After losing it all, the family found help they never knew existed. The shock of that night slowly shifted into gratitude.

When a home fire occurs, trained volunteers and staff often respond within hours. Once emergency crews leave the scene, families face a maze of challenges: finding temporary shelter, securing food and clothing, replacing medications or medical equipment, arranging transportation, and navigating insurance or housing issues, all while coping with trauma. Red Cross volunteers offer a calm presence, a listening ear, and reassurance that they are not facing this alone.

“We had never experienced a fire,” Yusmery said. “It’s your belongings, your home, your peace, your safe space and we lost it all. Starting over hurts. It causes physical and mental instability that takes a toll on you. Having the support of the Red Cross is a huge help. We know we are not alone.”

In the Greater Chicago area, Red Cross volunteers respond to three to four home fires every single day. Their work is not a temporary patch; it’s a steady partner in recovery.

“The help can be big or small, but it’ always valuable,” Elizabeth shared. “My daughter lost her prescription glasses during the fire, and the volunteers worked quickly to make sure we got her new ones. These volunteers showed us that kindness is still possible in people.”

Disasters can happen anytime. The Red Cross helps families prepare with emergency planning resources, preparedness education, and disaster response services. Donor support makes this work possible before, during, and after emergencies. You can find disaster preparedness tips here.