During November, the American Red Cross New Jersey Region has responded to 90 home fires throughout the state. Red Cross volunteers have provided emergency assistance to 765 people in 280 families affected by home fires. In addition to financial assistance, our volunteers are at the scene with blankets, comfort kits and emotional support as people face a difficult time in their lives.

Nationwide, the Red Cross responds to nearly 20% more home fires during November and December than at other times of the year, assisting an average of 40,000 people during these two months alone. New Jersey saw an uptick in fires begin during the first few days in November.

November began with a large fire affecting a 41-unit apartment complex in Blackwood with Red Cross disaster volunteers assisting those affected. Red Cross disaster volunteers also responded to help New Jersey families displaced by home fires in communities like Jersey City, Haddonfield, North Bergan, Camden, Paterson, Skillman, Atlantic City, Newton, Red Bank, Ridgefield, Roselle, and Orange, providing care and comfort while helping displaced families with emergency assistance, Disaster Health and Disaster Mental Health Services as needed.

“When people’s lives are upended by home fires and other disasters, it’s thanks to generous donations that our volunteers have the resources to deliver comfort, hope and support to help people recover,” said Kim Goetz, interim regional executive, American Red Cross New Jersey.

Just this past weekend, our Disaster Action Team responded to a large fire in a Newark home that spread to another home on one side and an apartment building on the other. In addition to emotional support, our volunteers provided emergency financial assistance to 51 people in 14 families following that incident. We also opened a temporary shelter and assisted families affected by a fire in a 24-unit apartment building in Plainfield, which sent more than 90 people out into the cold in the middle of the night.

“Through the simple act of giving, we come together as a community to help our neighbors when it’s needed most,” added Goetz.

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Visit the Red Cross New Jersey Region 

YEAR-IN-REVIEW

Webpage for more information about how people from New Jersey helped in 2025.