Oregon Trail Chapter Latest News

PORTLAND, Ore. – September 17, 2006 –Disaster Relief Workers from the Oregon Trail Chapter of the American Red Cross responded to two residential fires in the a span of less than twelve hours Saturday night and Sunday morning, offering immediate assistance to six residents whose homes were damaged.

Red Cross was notified by Portland Fire at 6:45 p.m. Saturday of a fire in an apartment building located in the 1300 block of SE 130th avenue. Two Red Cross Disaster Relief Workers were on the scene by 7:15 p.m. assisting the residents with food, shelter and other needs until they are able to relocate permanently. The fire destroyed one unit in the building, displacing in the process a man and his fourteen year old daughter. They were not home when the fire broke out.

No injuries were reported, though two of the residents’ three cats were known to have perished. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

A second fire, involving a single-family home located on NE 131st Place in Portland, was reported to Red Cross at 7:40 a.m. Sunday. Two Disaster Relief Workers from the Oregon Trail Chapter arrived at the scene at 8:15 a.m.

The four adult residents of the home were awakened at 6:30 a.m. by the smell of smoke. Portland Fire dispatched three trucks to the scene, quickly extinguishing the blaze. The fire is believed to have started in the kitchen, though its cause is still being investigated.

Everyone escaped without injury, though the residents say two kittens are missing.

Red Cross is providing shelter and food for the displaced residents until they are able to make arrangements with their insurance company for housing while repairs are made to the damaged property.

The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization, led by volunteers, that provides relief to victims of disaster and helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Local Oregon Trail Chapter volunteers respond to residential fires and other disasters an average of every 40 hours. All Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from Oregonians. Financial gifts help provide shelter, food, clothing counseling and other immediate assistance to those in need. Call (503) 284-1234 or visit www.redcross-pdx.org

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American Red Cross, Oregon Trail volunteers respond to house fires every 32 hours on average.
To assist the Red Cross in providing disaster relief, please call (503) 528-5634.
To prepare yourself and your family for fire or other disasters, go to www.redcross-pdx.org