The American Red Cross is helping people displaced by the 92-unit apartment building fire that occurred in Grand Forks, ND, on Feb. 19. Twenty-three people and five pets stayed overnight at the shelter Red Cross responders opened at the Alerus Center.

“We’re grateful for our Red Cross disaster responders who are helping to provide shelter, food and comfort to people displaced by this large fire in Grand Forks,” said Kimberly Vosseteig, executive director of the Red Cross serving eastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota.

Red Cross disaster workers, mostly volunteers, started relief operations on the ground in Grand Forks and virtually within hours after the blaze ignited, forcing evacuation of the entire 92-unit complex. Within hours, a shelter was open at the Alerus Center.

“Responders across our chapter area have mobilized to help,” said Vosseteig. “They will continue to support shelter and other immediate disaster relief needs. We’ll also continue our coordination with local emergency response officials.”

Local Volunteers Needed

Are you looking for volunteer opportunity that will actually change your life? Become a Red Cross volunteer. You can make a difference in the lives of people recovering from disasters, especially home fires and home fire safety and preparedness in local communities. Becoming a Red Cross volunteers means learning new skills, exploring your passions and making meaningful connections. Explore our most needed positions at redcross.org/givetime.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors. It 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 not a governmental agency, but rather a not-for-profit humanitarian organization. The Minnesota and Dakotas Region of the Red Cross serves 7.3 million people in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota and Douglas County (Superior) in Wisconsin. For more information, please visit redcross.org/mndaks. The Eastern North Dakota and Northwestern Minnesota chapter supports communities across the counties of Becker, Clay, Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Otter Tail, Pennington, Polk County, Red Lake and Wilkin in Minnesota; Barnes, Benson, Cass, Cavalier, Dickey, Eddy, Foster, Grand Forks, Griggs, Kidder, LaMoure, Logan, McIntosh, Nelson, Pembina, Pierce, Ramsey, Ransom, Richland, Rolette, Sargent, Steele, Stutsman, Towner, Traill, Walsh and Wells in North Dakota; as well as Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Nation, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, and Spirit Lake Nation.