American Red Cross of RI

SE HABLA ESPANOL
Para mas informacion en espanol favor de llamar a Gisela al telefono
(401) 831-7700 x108

PRESS CONTACT INFO

ROBIN ERICKSON
Director of Communications

PHONE
(401) 831-7700 x101
E-MAIL
[email protected]

Tuesday, January 21, 2003
COLD WEATHER KEEPS RED CROSS BUSY -- Fires, Carbon Monoxide and Burst Pipes Cause Action

It was a non-stop weekend for American Red Cross of Rhode Island disaster volunteers. The frigid temperatures caused pipes to burst, boilers to break and fires to start across Rhode Island.

With more cold weather on the way, the Red Cross reports disaster volunteers are gearing up for a busy week ahead and making preparations to assist Rhode Islanders in need.

Volunteers responded to nine incidents over the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend, providing more than three dozen Rhode Islanders with shelter, food and clothing.

On Saturday, one adult and three children were evacuated from a fire at 293 Massachusetts Avenue in Providence. The Red Cross supplied clothing and meals to the family, who stayed with nearby relatives.

On Sunday, thirteen people were taken to area hospitals and released after a broken boiler at 37 Home Street in Providence caused carbon monoxide inhalation. Once released, the Red Cross provided the families with hotel accommodations and meals.

A burst pipe at 10 Parkside in Cranston displaced one adult and three children, who were provided with hotel and meals through the Red Cross.

In Coventry at 6 Acacia Street, a fire drove one adult and one child from their home. The Red Cross supplied hotel and meals for the family.

One elderly person stayed with friends after a pipe burst at 3 Marlborough Street in Providence. Food was provided to the victim.

At 15 Hawkins Street in Smithfield, two adults were provided with meals and accommodations after a fire forced them from their homes.

A fire at 234 Sterling Ave in Providence left eight people --- four adults and four children --- homeless. The Red Cross provided hotel accommodations and meals after a fire.

A kitchen pipe burst at 96 Montgomery Street in Pawtucket left two adults and one child homeless. The Red Cross provided the family with hotel accommodations and meals.

The Red Cross typically spends $1,000 per family it assists and is asking Rhode Islanders to help those left homeless by cold weather emergencies. To make a donation, please call the Red Cross at 401.831.7700 or visit www.riredcross.org to make a credit card contribution.

© Copyright 2002-2004 American National Red Cross. All rights reserved.
American Red Cross of Rhode Island • 105 Gano Street :: PO Box 2496 • Providence, RI 02906
(401) 831-7700 • TOLL FREE 1-800-842-1122

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