Story told by: Cheary Shelim, Red Cross Volunteer

Zevon Denmark of Awendaw, SC, was at home with her three children when the smell of smoke permeated the air. A blanket had fallen on top of an extension cord, sparking a fire. Realizing what was happening, she grabbed her purse and rushed out with her kids. In less than eight minutes, she watched everything she owned go up in flames.  

“It was very traumatic,” Zevon recalls. “If it wasn’t in my purse, it was gone. Documents, photos, clothes, furniture, appliances – everything burned. Nothing could be salvaged. It’s an experience that you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy.” 

Soon after, Zevon met with a Red Cross Disaster Action Team member. “The first relief that I got wasn’t when they took the fire out,” Zevon reflects. “It was actually when I met with the Red Cross representative. I’m grateful because that was the first, you could say, hug that I got after the situation. I felt the compassion. I felt like she cared. She really wanted to help us.” 

In South Carolina, the Red Cross responds to about 65,000 disasters a year, with the majority of them being home fires. Red Cross volunteers work with fire departments to conduct damage assessments, connect with families, and provide financial assistance, emotional support, and emergency lodging. They can also help with replacing eyeglasses, medications, and connecting with spiritual or mental health providers.  

In Zevon’s case, the assistance she received allowed her to buy necessities such as food, clothing, and temporary lodging at a hotel. The Red Cross volunteer also connected them with a local church where they could obtain additional clothing. But Zevon was more grateful for the emotional support she received.  

“My Red Cross person – she held me up because I kind of passed out. But she really kept me strong. She offered a lot of support that I needed,” said Zevon. “That, right there, was worth way more than the money that I got.” 

Zevon shares that this experience has made her more aware of home fire safety. She stresses the importance of having working smoke detectors and practicing safety around electrical devices.  

“Because house fires – it’s not a joke,” she says. “You can not only lose your possessions, but you can also lose your mind. You have to be strong-minded and understand that it can happen, but you have to take precautions to prevent it from happening.” 

If you or someone you know needs immediate help after a home fire, Zevon speaks highly of her experience with the Red Cross. “The Red Cross, to me, was the best help offered in the universe,” she says. “My interaction with the Red Cross was a good thing for me. I didn’t feel completely down about my loss. I was able to feel hope with what I was offered. I just felt hopeful.” 

She adds, “If I ever see anything that says, ‘Donate to the Red Cross,’ I’m putting my last dollar in. That’s just how much the organization really helped me. It made an impact on me.” 

To learn more about home fire safety and prevention, including if you need help now or would like to make a donation, visit redcross.org/fire.