American Red Cross Aids Residents in Apartment Fire
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Columbia , S.C. (WOLO) — A fire late Monday night at the Brookfield Apartments in Columbia damaged 6 apartment units and left 13 residents displaced. In response to the blaze, the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Team stepped in to help the families and residents impacted. “In the state of South Carolina, we respond to a fire or a disaster on average of 1 every 4 hours,” explained Beth Shwedo with the American Red Cross. After Monday nights fire, the American Red Cross jumped in to help 8 adults and 5 children by providing them with temporary housing, financial assistance for food and clothes, as well as referrals to help them connect with agencies that can aid with the long-term recovery effort. “The things that when you have to all the sudden get out of your house, you have less than 2 minutes to get out and you’re basically getting out for safety, getting your family out and you leave everything else behind,” said Shwedo. Shwedo said services like this wouldn‘t be possible without the donations made by people in the community. She explained providing aid to families in a time of crisis can cost thousands of dollars. She said to take care of a family of four who lost everything and fill their immediate needs it can cost roughly $1,275 for four days. To donate to the families of Monday nights fire or other natural disasters in South Carolina, call 1-800-REDCROSS or visit redcross.org.
