Albany, NY (October 18) 10:00 a.m. — The American Red Cross of Northeastern New York (ARCNENY) has given emergency aid to three families, consisting of five adults and one infant, after a fire damaged three houses on Green Street in Rensselaer this morning.

Disaster Action Team volunteers met with families at a temporary aid station set up at Rensselaer City Hall after being called to the scene at approximately 6:30 a.m. Volunteers have provided financial assistance for food, clothing and infant supplies. Each family has made private sheltering arrangements.

Two other homes have reportedly been damaged by the fire. The Red Cross will provide any aid that is needed to the residents of those homes.

Late last night, Red Cross volunteers also gave temporary shelter to 11 people (seven adults and four children) after a kerosene spill in the basement of their apartment building on Route 145 in East Durham, Greene County.

In the coming days and weeks, Red Cross volunteers will continue to work with those affected by today’s fire and last night’s kerosene spill to provide more aid if needed, and help the victims develop a post-disaster plan to get started on the road to recovery.

The Red Cross urgently needs volunteers to assist with disaster relief efforts in their eight-county service area. For more information on volunteering, contact (518) 458-8111 or www.redcrossneny.org/volunteer.

October is Home Fire Prevention Month. The Red Cross urges greater Capital Region residents to prepare for emergencies such as home fires (the most common disaster in the United States) by making a family disaster plan and building a preparedness kit. For free tools and resources, visit www.redcrossneny.org/get_prepared.

About the American Red Cross of Northeastern New York
ARCNENY helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. Last year, nearly 1,000 residents of the Capital Region and surrounding areas were provided free, emergency assistance by ARCNENY after disasters such as fires, floods, and power outages. In addition, thousands were assisted by the Red Cross after the December 2008 ice storm; more than 700 victims received shelter with the Red Cross during that time.

The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money and blood from the American people to do its work. An average of 90 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. For more information about your local Red Cross, visit www.redcrossneny.org or call (518) 458-8111.