Shortly after midnight on Tuesday, families of a large apartment building on Park Avenue in Orange, New Jersey were awoken by their neighbors banging on their doors and yelling that there was a fire in the building. More than 150 people safely escaped from the building with the clothes on their backs and not much more.
Our Red Cross Disaster Action Team arrived on the scene to dozens of people standing outside in the cold in their pajamas watching flames shoot out from the roof of their building. Our disaster team got to work quickly distributing Red Cross blankets, collecting information from the families, and working with city officials on a plan of action. A reception center for the displaced families was soon opened at the local library.
When it was determined by the fire department that no one would be able to return to the more than 70 apartments in the building that day, the Red Cross, in partnership with the City of Orange and the Orange School District, opened a temporary shelter at a local elementary school. That evening, 17 people spent the night at the shelter while others stayed with friends and family. An additional six people, who were displaced by another home fire nearby, spent the night at the shelter as well.
“We were concerned about where we would stay - It was nerve wracking,” said Laura, who, along with her daughter Juliana, didn’t want to burden their only relative who lives nearby and is in the process of selling her home. “But the Red Cross provided a safe place for us. It’s been very comfortable.”
Laura and Juliana met with one of half a dozen volunteer Red Cross caseworkers the next morning, who provided them with financial assistance and guidance on what their next steps might be.
A Red Cross caseworker provides immediate emergency assistance to those affected by disasters like home fires. Emergency financial assistance could be used for things like food, clothing and temporary shelter. In addition, a caseworker may put a client in touch with a disaster mental health volunteer or a health services worker to assist someone with replacement of prescriptions, glasses or other needed medical devices. Through direct guidance and mentoring, a caseworker will provide referrals to community organizations to help move an affected person toward their recovery.
Since Tuesday, the Red Cross has provided 42 overnight stays at the emergency shelter for people affected by the Orange fire. Families not staying at the shelter have been invited to stop in to meet with caseworkers, pick up relief items and have meals.
Melissa Johnson, did just that. “We have family in Orange, so we did not need to stay here at the shelter,” she said.
On Wednesday, the mother of four children visited the shelter to pick up toys, diapers, and comfort items for her family. While in the shelter, she witnessed two volunteers setting up a bassinet for another family with an 8-month old baby, and she became emotional.
Speaking to one of our volunteers, she said, "I had no idea that you would do this for all of us. There is so much heart here. I am so thankful for the Red Cross."
Moved by what she experienced, she would like to become a Red Cross volunteer caseworker when she is back on her feet.
In many ways, a Red Cross shelter is much more than a place to lay your head. The dormitory area is where cots are set up and families can have designated areas to sleep, while tables are set up for a dining area and leisure activities.
Three brothers, Jayden, Joshua, and Jeremiah ages, 14, 11, and 10, quickly found a way to keep busy, playing a card game.
Later, they moved onto various board games, and mom, Stacey said, “Thankfully, their Playstation was unharmed at home. For now, it’s nice to see them playing together.”
Since Tuesday, the Red Cross provided 1,190 meals and 76 comfort kits to the people displaced by the fire.
On Saturday, the Red Cross will facilitate a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) set up at the shelter (216 Lincoln Avenue in Orange) for anyone affected by the Park Avenue fire to meet with local organizations and access recovery resources. The MARC will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
HOW YOU CAN HELP - To help people affected by disasters like home fires, visit redcross.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS. Your gift is a commitment to helping people in need and every single donation matters. Financial donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to, and help people recover from disasters.
VOLUNTEER - If you have the time, you can make a significant impact as a Red Cross volunteer. Review our most urgently needed volunteer positions at redcross.org/VolunteerToday.