Local Red Cross Responds to 14 Weekend Fires; Helps 72 People

Between 8 a.m. Friday, Jan. 13 and 8 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17, the American Red Cross of Southeastern PA responded to 14 fires, providing assistance to 17 families, 72 people. 8 families made up of 11 adults and 3 children affected from this weekend’s fires are now seeking shelter at our one of a kind Red Cross House, the Center for Disaster Recovery.

This has been the busiest weekend of 2012, and unfortunately, it is well above normal. This holiday weekend also claimed another life due to fire- the city’s 5th fire victim of 2012. Even though the weather has been unseasonably warm, it is not unusual to see a spike in the number of fires this time of year. Below is a list of the fires:

One Lower Bucks County Fire

• 800 block of Elmherst, Bristol; 1 family, 5 People

One Montgomery County Fire

• 600 block of Washington Street, Red Hill Boro; 2 Families, 7 People

Eight Philadelphia Fires

• 5700 block of Malvern Avenue; 1 Family, 2 People
• 100 block of E Allen Street; 1 Family, 2 People
• 400 block of Byberry Road; 1 Family, 8 People
• 800 block of Carver Street; 1 Family, 4 People
• 5300 block of Charles St, 1 family, 6 People
• 200 block of E Roosevelt Blvd; 1 family, 4 People
• 2200 block of N. 22nd Street; 2 Families, 13 People (1 cat assisted by Red Paw)
• 5800 block of Delancey Street; 1 Family, 2 People

Four Delaware County Fires

• 100 block of Folcroft Avenue, Folcroft; 1 Person
• 100 block of E Avon Road, Brookhaven; 2 Families 15 People
• 700 block of Pearly Ave,  Morton; 1 Person
• 1100 block of Hill St, Upland; 1 family, 2 People

Over this holiday weekend, our volunteers also spent used Monday’s day of service in Montgomery County handing out 300 smoke alarms and fire safety materials to residents. Other volunteers in Philadelphia assisted with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service projects at Girard College.

The American Red Cross of Southeastern PA is in the midst of a home fire awareness and fundraising campaign designed to help fire victims and prevent future ones.

To learn more about the campaign and what the Red Cross does for families displaced by a fire, go to PhillyHomeFire.org. People can also donate to the local disaster fund to help local families like those listed above by visiting PhillyHomeFire.org or by texting REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.