MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ) – The Red Cross continues to help those put on the street by a Wednesday apartment fire in Manitowoc.
While many of the 88 people displaced from the Parkview Haven apartment complex have found other accommodations, Red Cross Spokesperson Barbara Behling says 13 are still at the temporary shelter that has been set up in the Wilson Junior High School gymnasium.
Behling notes that number is down from the 18 that stayed there late last week.
She says the Red Cross is organizing a variety of services for them including: three meals per day, access to health professionals, and financial aid and vouchers, which have allowed those people to purchase clothing, since many left home with only what they were wearing.
At this point, Behling says the victims’ future living situation remains uncertain.
“They have to get the lights and the power back on (at the apartment complex). Some parts of the building were heavily damaged. There may be some people that can never live in that building again.”
In addition to asking people to donate funds to the Red Cross, Behling is issuing another call to action.
“If people have some rental units available, please get ahold of us so we can get people into a better situation.”
Behling notes crews have encountered some challenges in aiding those affected by this fire.
“Every single person who lived there was over the age of 55. There were many that had mobility issues, a variety of health concerns as well.”
But she says they were prepared.
“(We had) some larger cots, pillows. We needed to have a stronger presence with our nurses.”
Behling says no cost estimate for aiding the survivors is available at this time.
As for the fire itself, the investigation is ongoing. No cause has been provided.
The blaze claimed the life of one person, 57-year-old Dana Bushman.
