WASHINGTON – After an explosion and fire ripped through a multi-unit residential building on Mother’s Day, the American Red Cross of Illinois and private citizens quickly organized assistance for displaced residents.
The explosion occurred around 4:30 a.m. May 10 in the 900 block of Mallard Way after police responded to a report of multiple gunshots fired. A person inside the building fired on police, and one officer from an assisting agency sustained a slight injury. The cause of the explosion and fire is not known.
The explosion and fire damage rendered all four units in the building uninhabitable. Jayce Eustice, American Red Cross of Illinois regional communications manager, said the organization has met with seven people who were displaced by the incident.
“Following a disaster, we try to meet the basic humanitarian needs of the individuals that have been impacted,” he said. “Sometimes that could be food. Sometimes that could be shelter. Sometimes that’s financial assistance. It can also be disaster health services. Really there are a lot of services that we can offer, and we try to tailor it to the individual that’s in need.”
Area residents organized GoFundMe campaigns to assist displaced residents. Anne Tettemeyer of Washington launched a fundraiser Sunday for her friend Cole Fasano and his daughter, Freya.
“Thankfully, Freya is safe and staying with her mom at her house,” Tettemeyer wrote. “Cole is staying with his family out of state as they both work through processing this traumatic experience and figure out how to start over and rebuild.”
Tettemeyer added that donations will go directly toward helping the Fasanos secure temporary housing, replace essential items like clothing and personal belongings, and begin rebuilding a home. The campaign has raised more $15,000 of a $22,000 goal as of May 15.
Devin Wiseman of Mackinaw organized a GoFundMe campaign for Lauren Wiseman and her daughter, Emmerie. The campaign has raised $11,501 of a $13,000 goal as of May 15.
“Emmerie is our world,” Wiseman posted. “She is only 12 years old, and she deserves the chance to enjoy being a kid, surrounded by love and support. Our deepest wish is for Emmerie to be well taken care of and to have the stability and comfort she needs to heal and thrive. The funds raised through this campaign will go directly toward helping them rebuild their lives, giving Emmerie the opportunity to focus on being a child again despite this traumatic event.”
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Red Cross, citizens join forces after Washington fire
Reporting by Mike Kramer, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
