As the long Thanksgiving holiday weekend came to a close, people returned home from weekend trips and prepared to begin the new
work and school week, and fire erupted in a 24-unit
apartment
building on West Battlefield Road in Springfield. All
residents of Essex Apartments building were safely evacuated,
but as firefighters doused flames, residents of the 19
occupied units found themselves literally out in the cold. Red
Cross volunteer Linda Sale was on the scene immediately to
begin the process of identifying apartment dwellers.
Reinforcements quickly arrived to support the displaced fire
victims as well as firefighters remaining on the scene until
midnight.
Residents watched flames consume their three-story building
and accepted the reality that they would not be returning to
their homes that night. Red Cross workers located rooms at a
local hotel for victims who did not wish to spend the night
with family or friends, and arrangements were made for meals
at the hotel restaurant. Clothing packs (sweatshirt and
sweatpants) and comfort kits containing personal hygiene items
were provide because residents were not allowed to return to
the building. An evening meal was acquired for firefighters
who extinguished flames that re-ignited throughout the
evening.
On Monday morning, Red Cross volunteers opened a service
center at the Greater Ozarks Chapter. Fire victims met one on
one with caseworkers to determine their individual
disaster-caused needs. Immediately, victims received vouchers
to area merchants to purchase new clothing, and coupons to
area restaurants. Additionally, individual needs for
medication, eyeglasses and textbooks were met. Hotel rooms
were available to victims until new living arrangements were
made. As victims located new apartments, the American Red
Cross was able to pay the first months rent and help with a
few basic items like a bed for each family member and a table
and chairs.
David and Neva Ainsworth have since moved into a new home, but
that Sunday evening was frightening. Their four-year-old son,
Trey, was napping when someone ran through the apartment
hallway banging on doors to alert residence. Completely
unaware of the situation, the Ainsworths woke Trey from a nap
and exited the building to see what the commotion was about.
Firefights arrived and within minutes, David and his young
family witnessed the roof opening up and fire piercing
through. �We didn�t think it was that bad at first, but we
couldn�t go back in for anything", stated David Ainsworth. One
minute we were just hanging out, and the next thing we were up
a creek without a paddle.� Grateful for Red Cross assistance,
David stated, �You guys have helped us so much, we did salvage
a few things the next day, but without the Red Cross, we
wouldn�t have had anyplace to go.�
Is your family prepared to respond to a house fire? Does
everyone know the safest way to exit, and has a meeting place
been established. Do you have homeowner�s or renter�s
insurance? To receive disaster preparedness information,
contact the American Red Cross at 417-832-9500 today!
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Volunteer Nancy Eastlake explains
available Red Cross assistance to
fire victim David Ainsworth.
Norma Wright, volunteer, and
Cheryl Searcy, executive director
discuss the conditon of the
apartment building with a fireman.
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