By Dan Dowling, Regional Communications Manager
“I heard people screaming ‘Fire!,’ and another person was coming down the hall. I ran into her apartment, and we could see all the brightness out her window.”
On May 2, fire tore through a residential apartment complex in South Burlington, Vermont, forcing dozens to evacuate. Thanks to the quick action of neighbors, first responders and the American Red Cross, residents were able to find safety and support after the fire.
When fire strikes, every second counts. For resident Robert Fontaine, the night was a blur of urgency and disbelief. As he heard the calls in the hallway to evacuate, he rushed to ensure his neighbors could escape the growing fire.
“We thought we would be just in and out. As you went outside to see the flames 20 feet high, you knew you weren't going back in,” he recalled.
Robert says he was fortunate for his circumstances. His wife, who uses an electric wheelchair due to multiple sclerosis, had been hospitalized overnight. With her not there, she avoided the difficult challenge of escaping down the stairwell.
“We decided to keep her in one more day in the hospital. Getting her out would have been impossible,” Robert said.
Robert appreciated how the Red Cross was able to provide a comfortable place at a nearby hotel for he and his displaced neighbors to regroup after the fire.
“The Red Cross took our information, gave us a debit card so we can get a few things. I was fortunate. I had what I have on now, but some people didn't have anything,” said Robert.
Each year, the Red Cross responds to over 65,000 disasters, the majority of which are home fires, helping families and individuals begin their recovery journey. Thanks to donations and volunteers, these services are free and accessible to anyone in need.
For Trudy Neubert, the fire unfolded suddenly. Initially, she thought a nearby tree or a gas grill was burning, but soon she realized that she needed to leave her home.
“I was in my living room. I looked out my patio doors and I saw sparks blowing by,” she said.
With her deck fully engulfed, firefighters rushed in. As the lights went out in the building, they carried her and her wheelchair down the stairs to safety.
“I could smell the smoke and feel the heat. I wasn’t scared, just overwhelmed,” Trudy recalled.
The Red Cross Disaster Action Team assisted 54 residents forced from their homes by the flames. Within hours, these Red Cross volunteers helped move residents to nearby hotels, providing shelter, meals and additional support.
“The Red Cross set us up with emergency phone numbers and funds if we need it. This is a good place to be,” said Trudy.
Fires, like this one, highlight the crucial role of Red Cross volunteers, who respond to a disaster every eight minutes. Whether it’s providing shelter, medical aid or emotional support, they ensure that those affected aren’t left to navigate devastation alone.
Want to support the lifesaving work of the Red Cross? You can volunteer or donate today by visiting redcross.org.
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