Red Cross Shelter for Fire Victims Closed, Services Still Available

The Red Cross shelter at the Council of Aging has closed but the Red Cross is still available to assist those displaced by the apartment fire at Lord Baron Apartments last Wednesday night. 

The fire at Lord Baron apartments displaced about 36 units of families and individuals for at least another week and a few permanently, a release from Joanne Fustaci who is working on assisting those in need states. Damages vary but some residents have lost everything.

The Red Cross sheltered a few of those 89 people. Approximately two thirds of the others registered with the Red Cross for emergency financial assistance and are thus eligible for follow-up casework. There are still about  9 apartment  units, of people who have not registered with the Red Cross.

For those in need of immediate and urgent housing needs, please go to the Council on Aging office 9 a.m.-to 4 p.m.. Monday through Friday. After hours and on weekends, please go to the police or fire station in the town center for assistance. The Burlington Food Pantry will distribute groceries, meats, and fresh vegetables to each displaced family along with a gift card. The Council on Aging is collecting clothing to distribute to the families.

Ongoing Red Cross services will be provided by a  case manager assigned to each family. 
 
The services are confidentially available without regard for citizenship status or documentation status.  Primarily, those services are: Some immediate financial assistance, casework management to assist in relocation, insurance claims, vouchers for clothing and replacement of furniture, referrals for other needs including emotional support to cope with trauma.

The phone number of the Red Cross in Cambridge is 800-564-234-0738. 

Other important numbers: 

Phone number for Council on Aging- 781-270-1950
Phone number for Fire Department- 781-272-2211
Phone number for Food Pantry- 781-270-6625
 

Marshall Simonds Middle School 

The Marshall Simonds Middle School is also working to help those displaced by the fire. Students in Burlington were impacted and the school posted to its blog the following plea for assistance: 

"Due to the fire, MSMS families were affected. In response to the fire, MSMS is collecting money and clothing. Items are needed for three 11 – 12-year-old boys, a 16-year-old girl and the parents of these children. You can drop off donations to the office all week. Thank you for your support."