Marengo, IL (June 11, 2017) —The American Red Cross is helping people affected by a home explosion on the 600 block of 4th Avenue in the City of Marengo, IL, in McHenry County. Red Cross volunteers are providing immediate disaster relief—including food and emotional support—for all families affected by the disaster.
Disaster assessments are currently being performed. Preliminary reports indicate that more than 45 homes were impacted, with a minimum of 14 being directly affected.
Red Cross staged a Reception Center at Marengo High School, to assist families in need and to be a means of support for recovery plans.
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 3 to 4 home fires every day in Northern Illinois. This weekend has been very busy for Red Disaster response volunteers who have responded to over 27 fires since the weekend began. The Red Cross is there supporting those in need providing support when it is needed most. 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 fire safety and preparedness information visit www.redcross.org/prepare.
About the American Red Cross of Chicago & Northern Illinois:
The American Red Cross of Chicago & Northern Illinois serves 9.5 million people in 21 counties including Boone, Bureau, Carroll, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Jo Daviess, LaSalle, Lake, Lee, McHenry, Ogle, Putnam, Stephenson, Whiteside, Will and Winnebago. The 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. For more information, please visit us at redcross.org/il/chicago or visit us on Twitter @ChicagoRedCross.