Within hours of a fire at the Newport Commons apartment complex in Lititz in August 2015, the American Red Cross was on the scene helping residents who had been forced from their homes.
The fire broke out on a balcony at about 5 p.m. on a Friday at the complex in the 400 block of North Oak Street. Flames damaged apartments, and the efforts to extinguish the blaze left other units unlivable.
21 people, six families
“As of this afternoon, we are helping 21 people who were displaced by the fire,” Dan Tobin, director of marketing and communications for the American Red Cross Central Pennsylvania chapter, said the following afternoon. “Those 21 people comprise six different families.”
Tobin said two Red Cross disaster response teams were dispatched to Lititz right away. They set up operations in the community center at Newport Commons to meet with residents who had suffered losses.
Help tailored to each family
“The assistance is different depending on the individual and the family,” Tobin said. “There are some people that we’re providing shelter for, some had temporary shelter that they were able to get but they needed cots, so we supplied that.”
Some residents received meals in the form of pre-loaded debit cards they could use to buy groceries or eat at restaurants.
Help beyond the first night
The Red Cross’s role did not end once families had a place to sleep.
“We have case workers that will follow up with them in the next few days to see if any additional assistance is needed,” Tobin said. “We’re there to follow up to make sure that everyone gets back on their feet.”
He praised the volunteers who respond to disasters at all hours.
“We have a real committed team of individuals that are available 24/7. These people go out in all kinds of weather no matter what to help anybody in need. It’s just wonderful to see the impact they have on people’s lives.”
How Red Cross disaster aid works
All of the services the Red Cross provides after a disaster are free and are funded by donations. The organization does not accept donations designated for specific families. At the time, LititzDailyNews.com offered to connect readers who wanted to help Newport Commons residents directly with the affected families, while general donations could be made to the Red Cross.
Home fires are the most common disaster the Red Cross responds to in the United States. Nationally, its volunteers respond to tens of thousands of home fires each year, providing emergency lodging, food, clothing, health services and emotional support.
Preventing apartment fires
Balcony fires are a particular concern in apartment complexes, where flames can spread quickly between units. Fire officials commonly warn residents not to use charcoal or gas grills on balconies unless allowed, to dispose of smoking materials carefully, and to avoid storing flammable items outdoors near the building.
Working smoke alarms remain one of the best defenses. The Red Cross’s Home Fire Campaign has installed free smoke alarms in homes across the country and encourages families to practice a two-minute escape plan.
Community support
Local fire companies from Lititz and surrounding municipalities typically respond together to apartment fires, which often require multiple engines and ladder trucks. After such fires, churches, community groups and neighbors in the Warwick area frequently organize collections of clothing, household goods and gift cards for displaced families.
For the families at Newport Commons, the quick response meant a safe place to stay and help beginning the long process of recovery.
Getting help
Residents affected by a home fire in Lancaster County can contact the American Red Cross for emergency assistance at any hour. The Red Cross also offers free preparedness resources and smoke alarm installation through its local chapters.
This article was originally published in August 2015.