By Lookout Staff
September 14, 2009 -- The American Red Cross provided emergency assistance to the victims of a fire at a Sunset Park apartment early Saturday morning.
The fire began shortly after 3 a.m. in an apartment on the 2300 block of 14th Street occupied by a family of four adults, according to Fire Department officials. Water and smoke damage rendered the apartment uninhabitable.
"The first arriving Fire Company reported light smoke coming from the second story of a two story apartment complex," said Brad Graham, the Fire Department spokesman.. "Firefighters made an aggressive attack on the fire, containing it to the bathroom."
One male adult was transported to Saint John's Medical Center, where he was treated for second degree burns, Graham said. The other three members of the household did not require medical assistance.
The cause of the fire -- which was reported in the bathroom and bedroom of the unit -- is under investigation.
The Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT) housed the displaced family at a local Motor Inn until Tuesday. The family also received a client assistance debit card with funds for food and other immediate necessities.
Longer term relocation help and counseling services will also be made available to the victims, Red Cross officials said.
The chapter's DAT is composed of community volunteers who are available to go out on calls for service 24 hours a day. The team is trained to render support services in the immediate wake of a fire, building collapse or other disaster, agency officials said.
A total of 21firefighters under the command of Battalion Chief Carl Bjerke responded to the incident.
