Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteers respond to three weekend fires

While thousands of central Indiana families enjoyed two days of Spring-like weather, several area residents were forced from their homes because of fires over the weekend.

Thanks to generous year-round support of the Greater Indianapolis Local Disaster Relief Fund, Disaster Action Team volunteers were able to provide emergency assistance to three Indianapolis families after fire damaged their homes.

On Saturday night, the Red Cross provided shelter and emergency assistance for food and clothing to a mother and her two children after a fire damaged their home on Olive Street.

While dozens of residents of the Cathcart Apartments at Ninth and Pennsylvania Streets were forced to evacuate the building because of a fire that damaged two nearby houses early Sunday morning, only one person needed emergency housing assistance from the Red Cross.

On Sunday afternoon, volunteers responded to a deadly fire on Riverside Drive providing temporary housing, as well as emergency assistance for food and clothing, to a mother and son.

Red Cross caseworkers are following up with all those who were affected to address any unmet needs and refer them to additional resources.

The most common disaster in central Indiana is the home fire. These quiet personal tragedies take a toll on hundreds of Hoosier households each year, one family at a time. Since July 1, 2009, the Greater Indianapolis Red Cross has responded to more than 250 fires assisting over 350 local families.

The Red Cross encourages central Indiana residents when they reset their clocks for Daylight Saving Time this weekend (March 14) to also check the batteries in their smoke alarms and replace them as needed. Other fire safety tips can be found here.

The American Red Cross of Greater Indianapolis is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year to respond to disasters and other emergencies. All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by the voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. To make a contribution to the American Red Cross of Greater Indianapolis Local Disaster Relief Fund, click here.

Help people affected by disasters by donating to the American Red Cross of Greater Indianapolis Local Disaster Relief Fund. Your gift enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. Contributions to the Greater Indianapolis Red Cross Local Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to the American Red Cross of Greater Indianapolis, 441 E. 10th St., Indianapolis, IN 46202-3388. Contributions can also be made by calling 317-684-1441. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.indyredcross.org.