Elkton, MD – April 4, 2006 – A family of ten, 7 adults and 3 children, left homeless after a fire engulfed their residence at mid-day today, was assisted by Red Cross volunteers. The house, at the corner of Courthouse Road and Augustine Herman Highway, was completely destroyed. Red Cross provided the family with temporary accommodation, food and clothing, as well as information on community partners who can help with their longer-term recovery needs.

The Red Cross volunteers were on their way back to Wilmington from Seaford, Delaware in the Emergency Response Vehicle, where they had attended the official opening of the new Southern Delmarva Office for the American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula. The two trained and experienced Disaster Action Team volunteers – a husband and wife team – were diverted to the scene of the fire. The food they were bringing back from this morning’s function was gratefully received by rescue personnel.

Red Cross volunteers help at two more fires in the Southern Delmarva region this week

On Monday April 3, four Red Cross volunteers assisted a family whose home was affected by a lightning strike fire in Pot-Nets, Delaware. The fire had occurred on April 1st, at approximately 4 pm, hitting the roof and going through into one of the bedrooms. Luckily, there were no injuries and the Red Cross has arranged for temporary accommodation for the family.

A family of seven was rendered homeless after their two-storey family home on Washington Street in Laurel, Delaware, was completely destroyed by a fire early this morning, during a night of high winds and thunderstorms. Five Red Cross volunteers were on site soon after 8:30am to take care of the immediate needs of the family, whose ages ranged from 7 to 56 years. Four were under the age of 18. The Red Cross Disaster Action volunteers made sure that the family had a safe place to stay and provided vouchers for food and clothing. They also referred the family to other community agencies who will help with the family’s other needs.