In coordination with local community partners, the American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Region provided emergency support for individuals and families impacted by a home fire on Wednesday May 13 on the 900 block of W. Airy Street in Norristown.

According to The Times Herald, the two-alarm fire broke out around 12:45 p.m. May 13th after a tree fell onto power lines, sparking flames that spread to several homes along W. Airy Street, displacing more than two dozen people. 

Soon after the fire was extinguished, the Red Cross worked with the Norristown Fire Department to open a reception center at ACLAMO on W. Marshall Street. After a few hours, the reception center was reloacted to Blockson Middle School, where three people stayed overnight.

To accommodate the school day, residents were transported to the Senior Adult Activity Center (SAAC) of Montgomery County in Norristown Thursday morning. The SAAC served as a reception center throughout the day Thursday, then transitioned into an overnight shelter, which supported residents through Monday afternoon, May 18. 

 At the shelter, Red Cross volunteers worked with community partners to support 12 overnight stays, along with, meals and snacks, access to showers, clothing, comfort and care items and emotional support.

The Red Cross is grateful to our county, municipality and community partners for mobilizing  resources to help impacted residents. Partners included ACLAMO, Blockson Middle School, Norristown Fire Department, Norristown School District, Montgomery County, Montgomery County Community Connections, Senior Adult Activity Center of Montgomery County andThe Wardrobe Norristown.