WILMINGTON, DE – April 14, 2006 – A Red Cross disaster shelter was set up and operational within hours of the devastating apartment fire at The Devon in Wilmington, yesterday. Six Red Cross volunteers – Disaster Action Team members – opened the shelter at the nearby Padua Academy to assist the estimated 75 – 80 residents displaced by the mid-day fire, which affected 42 units of the high-rise building on Pennsylvania Avenue. Other Red Cross staffers were on the scene of the fire shortly after it happened, to help assist the displaced residents with their emergency needs.

Mark Tinsman, Emergency Services Director for the American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula commented, ”Although the disaster shelter at Padua Academy was closed at 10:00pm when it became clear that affected residents elected to stay with family, friends and neighbors instead, we made sure that residents knew that the Red Cross is accessible 24 hours a day. We are ready to provide emergency assistance to those who have been made homeless by the fire, including those rendered temporarily homeless until electricity is turned back on at their apartments.”

The American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula provides the victims of disasters such as fires, floods and other major catastrophes with food, clothing and temporary accommodation, free of charge, according to their needs, as well as information on the steps the families should take to cope with the disaster and begin to plan their recovery. Where mental health services are needed, trained Red Cross volunteers are available to help.

Two weeks of fires This was the third fire this week that the American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula had assisted at. Last week, there were a total of 7 fires in the Chapter’s 9-county jurisdiction, which covers Delaware and six counties on the eastern shore of Maryland.

A Hispanic family of 8 adults and 3 children were helped by two trained Red Cross after a fire at their home in Marydel, MD shortly after 1 PM on Tuesday, April 11th. The family was assisted with Red Cross vouchers for food and clothing at the scene of the fire on Halltown Road and were referred to other community resources to help them plan their disaster recovery.

A morning fire at a home in Church Street, Wilmington, affected 6 people on Wednesday April 12th. Four adult residents were assisted with temporary lodging, food and clothing by the trained Red Cross volunteers, members of the Disaster Action team. The family was woken up by a friend passing the house in his car. By banging on the door, after seeing smoke, he saved 6 lives this morning.