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01.13.2009 American Red Cross responds to three-alarm house fire
Charlotte — The Greater Carolinas Chapter of the American Red Cross responded to a three-alarm house fire Tuesday morning in Ballantyne. The Charlotte Fire Department extinguished the fire, which caused no injuries.
The Red Cross Disaster Action Team responded to the single-family incident, providing water, snacks and refreshments to firefighters and other first responders. The family, consisting of two adults, three children and a dog, were displaced as a result of the fire, which destroyed their home.
The Red Cross team assisted the family by providing comfort kits, which include basic toiletries and teddy bears for the children. The nonprofit is also prepared to provide temporary shelter and financial assistance for food and clothing should the family need such assistance.
Shortly after the fire, neighbors began collecting items to assist the family, shopping for items such as food and clothing. For pictures of the event and the Red Cross’ response, click here.
Disaster service responders receive free, specialized Red Cross training to prepare them to execute vital tasks in field operations, disaster assessment, mass care, sheltering and mental health operations.
In the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area, the most common disaster to which the Red Cross responds is house and apartment fires. Disaster Action Teams work closely with local fire departments to assist disaster clients in a timely and efficient manner while assuring clients’ basic needs are met.
All disaster relief assistance is provided at no cost to the clients. The Red Cross is able to provide such assistance thanks to the generous donations of our community.
If you would like to make a donation to the Red Cross, click here or call 704.347.8271.
To learn more about Red Cross disaster response, call 704.378.4620 or click here.
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The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; provides nearly half of the nation’s blood supply; teaches lifesaving skills; and supports military members and their families. The American Red Cross is a charity, not a government agency, and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission.