Red Cross serving 78 fire victims, 28 are children

The American Red Cross said Tuesday that it is assisting 78 people from Saturday’s fire at the Oaks of Brandlewood Apartments. 28 of those are children under 18.

The fire destroyed or damaged 24 apartments early Saturday morning.  It’s believed that someone cooking threw a hot pan onto a balcony, which started the blaze.

The Red Cross says it’s already provided up to ten thousand dollars in initial assistance, i.e. clothing, food, medications and other items to the victims.  Spokesman Dan Kurtz says the Red Cross will also be assisting families with deposits for new apartments, if necessary.  “We estimate we may spend up to 20 thousand dollars by the time we’re through,“ he tells us.

We’ve received an email from an assistant pastor from a church in Pooler.  He told us that congregation members want to start a clothing drive and are trying to figure out the sizes of clothing that might be needed for the children.  The Red Cross says it doesn’t participate in clothing drives per se, and encourages anyone who plans on doing that to work through a church.  Kurtz says if anyone wants to donate funds to the Red Cross, they can visit the local website at www.savannahredcross.org or mail a check to PO Box 9987, Savannah 31412. You can also call 912.651.5371 during business

Here is the number of children and their ages:

15 Boys:

1 three month old
1 six month old
1 two year old
1 four year old
3 six year olds
1 seven year old
1 nine year old
2 ten year olds
1 12 year old
1 13 year old
1 14 year old
1 16 year old

13 Girls

1 one year
2 two year olds
1 four year old
1 six year old
1 seven yeare old
2 nine year olds
1 ten year old
3 twelve year olds
1 15 year old

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