American Red Cross responds to Burlington apartment fire

An overnight fire in Burlington has forced residents of a 131 Elmwood Avenue apartment building from their homes, leaving some to wonder what’s next. The building has four units, three of which were occupied.
Throughout the day, volunteers with our Chittenden County Disaster Action Team have met with the residents of two of the impacted units, one of which took the brunt of the blaze. The residents of a second apartment are unable to return at this time due to smoke damage and the fact that power to the building remains cut off. In each instance, our volunteers have made arrangements for temporary lodging for the residents, including the pet that lived with the couple residing in one of the units. In addition, financial support was provided for food, clothing, shoes and seasonal garments as appropriate. Referrals to additional avenues of support, whether that be state or non-profit resources, were also shared.
The brisk pace of fire responses that has been the hallmark of 2014 continues for the Vermont & the New Hampshire Upper Valley American Red Cross, with today’s response being the 76thsince January 1st. These responses have led to assistance being provided to well over 200 residents displaced by fire, and support for over 1,000 first responders who worked the scene of many of these responses.
Source: American Red Cross (Burlington, VT – March 25, 2014) All disaster services offered by the American Red Cross are provided without charge. To help support people affected by fires as well as devastating natural disasters, a donation can be made to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Visitwww.redcross.org/vermont, call802-660-9130, ext. 111, text REDCROSS to 90999, or mail your contribution to American Red Cross, 29 Mansfield Avenue, Burlington, VT 05401.