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Disaster Action Team volunteers from the American Red Cross Oregon Trail Chapter had a very busy Sunday when they found themselves responding to two apartment fires, back to back.
Volunteers were called to the scene of the first fire in the 3700 block of NE Division Street in Gresham at approximately 11 a.m. The fire, which started in one of the upstairs bedrooms of a three bedroom townhouse, displaced four adults and one child. Gresham fire responded quickly and was able to isolate the worst of the damage to the upstairs area.
"I had hardly been home 20 minutes when I received a page for another fire," said Red Cross volunteer Michael Redlin, who was on call. The second fire, called into the Portland Fire Bureau at 2:30 p.m., occurred in the 8100 block of NE Failing in Portland. The fire displaced a 58-year-old physically impaired man whose apartment suffered extensive damage.
In both cases, the Oregon Trail Chapter is providing temporary housing at local hotels, meals and other necessities as needed. Neither fire resulted in any injuries and the causes of both fires remain under investigation by authorities.
The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization, led by volunteers, that provides relief to victims of disaster and helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Local Oregon Trail Chapter volunteers respond to residential fires and other disasters an average of every 40 hours. All Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from Oregonians. Financial gifts help provide shelter, food, clothing, counseling and other immediate assistance to those in need. Call (503) 284-1234 or visit www.redcross-pdx.org. |
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