Red Cross Comes to Aid of Families Displaced by Fire [Updated]

The American Red Cross is helping 15 people – 10 adults and five children in five families – after a fire in the Nutmeg Woods apartments in New London.

The fire broke out Thursday afternoon in a first-floor unit, and quick action by New London firefighters confined the damage to two units — the one the fire started in and in a unit above it, according to a report by The Day.

No one was injured in the fire, but the two units were deemed uninhabitable and the tenants belongings were destroyed. That's where the Red stepped in.

According to the organization, four adults and two children in two families are getting help with emergency housing, food and clothing needs. A family of four adults and one child is getting help with emergency housing, food and baby needs. A family of one adult and one child is getting help with emergency housing and food needs. A family of one adult and one child is getting help with emergency food needs but was able to make alternate arrangements for housing.

Red Cross team members Ginny Haas, Ira Haas, Joann Hodge, Eric Culbreth, Fred Bolen and Sue Bolen responded to assist the families.

The Red Cross is also providing to all the families comfort kits containing personal care items such as toothbrushes, deodorant, shaving supplies and other items a family might not have been able to gather in the rush to escape the fire.  

American Red Cross disaster assistance is free of charge, a gift made possible by generous donations and the work of volunteers. For more information about the Red Cross and how you can help, visit www.redcross.org.