The local Red Cross has stepped in to help victims of a weekend house fire.
Around 20 fire fighters responded to a four-apartment home on Machar Avenue Saturday afternoon. Smoke filled parts of the Bay and Algoma area and could be smelled throughout the city’s North side. Volunteers from the Red Cross’ personal disaster assistance program helped nine of the building’s residence left homeless with shelter at a local hotel along with food and clothing vouchers.
Thunder Bay Red Cross emergency response team leader Sharon Bak said it’s always a tough time for someone involved in an emergency situation.
“It’s really devastating,” she said. “There’s a lot of shock a lot of fear and a lot of anxiety that comes with being a victim of a house fire.”
The program is a short-term 72 hour response before the people need to be referred to other agencies like the Salvation Army.
“Sometimes depending on insurance they may be fine after those initial few days and it just gives them a chance to get back on their feet,” Bak said.
With the flooding in May and recent evacuations in Sandy Lake, Bak said this is the busiest she’s seen the local Red Cross in her 13 years there.
The fire investigation continues.
