Volunteers from the American Red Cross of Central New York responded to a fire at an apartment complex in the Onondaga County communityof Mattydale. Immediate emergency assistance is being provided for a total of 15 individuals residing in seven apartments. 

Red Cross assistance typically includes vouchers for temporary housing, food and clothing as needed, and Disaster Mental Health volunteers are available to help with the emotional aspect of disaster. Caseworkers will be available in the coming days to work on a longer-term recovery plan. 

The American Red Cross has launched an initiative to reduce the number of deaths and injuries caused by home fires by 25 percent over five years. The Red Cross is asking every household in America to take two simple steps: check their existing smoke alarms and practice fire drills at home. As part of the Home Fire Campaign, the Red Cross is joining with fire departments and community groups to install free smoke alarms in homes that need them. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please visit http://www.redcross.org/local/new-york/western-central-new-york/homefires

The Red Cross relies on financial contributions to provide help and comfort to disaster victims anywhere, anytime. You can help people affected by disasters like home fires and countless other crises by making a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. Visit http://redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.