Earlier today, Red Cross assisted at Salem Village Apartments fire

Wilmington, DE – December 7, 2006 – The American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula dispatched its Emergency Response Vehicle at 4:10pm to the scene of a major fire at the old Speakman plant off 30th Street in Wilmington. Trained Red Cross volunteers are providing canteening services for emergency crews at this time.

Earlier today, the Red Cross assisted tenants from eight rental units at Salem Village Apartments, on Salem Church Road at Chapman Road, after a fire caused smoke and water damage to their apartments.

As winter begins, families are urged to take simple steps to avoid preventable fires, which are frequently caused by heating sources. The Red Cross recommends that all potential fuel sources, including newspapers, matches, clothing and bedding, are kept at least three feet away from heat sources such as a space heater or fireplace. On average, more than twice a week, the American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula helps families left homeless by fire with assistance for food, clothing, prescription medications, temporary shelter and other special needs an affected family might have. For fire safety tips, please visit www.redcrossdelmarva.org