The Southern Tier Chapter of the American Red Cross responded to a fire at an apartment complex in the Broome County community of Kirkwood. Several apartments are impacted. Assistance is being provided for a total of 19 residents. 

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. Those affected will meet with caseworkers 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 nationwide to install free smoke detectors in homes that need them. For more information or to schedule an installation appointment, 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.