Merced family fears homelessness after apartment fire

Aug. 08--A Merced family faces an uncertain future after losing their homes and everything they own in a fire last week.

They fear what may happen if they don't soon receive some help.

Cristal Davis; her 12-year-old son, Odrry; and her mother, Norma Thompson, lived in apartments at 2355 K St. in Merced until Friday, when flames gutted their homes, leaving them with just the pajamas they were wearing.

The Red Cross provided assistance to the family over the weekend, but that assistance could run out as early as Tuesday morning, they said.

Everything the family owned was ruined in the fire, and they have nowhere to go. They said they paid their rent and bills on the first of the month before the fire, leaving them strapped for cash.

"I don't feel good at all," Thompson said. "I've never felt like this before in my life -- lonely, nowhere to go, nobody to talk to. Won't nobody help us. We need somebody to help us find a place to live."

When the family approached the landlord and apartment manager for help, they were told they should have had renter's insurance, Thompson said.

"They don't want to help us," she said.

Tinika Harris, a community advocate, is helping the family by seeking out community resources that provide aid. "People aren't knowledgeable about where to go for resources," Harris said. "I hope they can get help."

The Red Cross has provided aid to 10 families who lost their homes in the K Street fire, said Jessica Piffero, regional director of communications for the Red Cross' Central California Region.

Piffero said Red Cross provides emergency services that are meant to last a couple of days, not necessarily long-term care. She encouraged families who need long-term care to contact the Red Cross anyway. however, because volunteers can connect them with other resources.

"We absolutely understand this is devastating for families who lost everything," she said. "And we understand it's a long road to recovery. We can't help unless they reach out to us. We're not going to abandon these families. We'll keep doing everything we can."

Merced County's Human Services Agency expects to start receiving phone calls looking for the same kind of help Davis and her family are seeking, said Scott Pettygrove, director of Merced County HSA.

After families expend their vouchers from the Red Cross, HSA will work with community partners, such as churches and other charitable organizations, to further help the families.

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Victims struggling after Merced apartment fire

Norma Thompson, 65, lost her home last week in an apartment fire on K Street in Merced. She, her daughter and grandson were among the more than two dozen residents displaced by the blaze. With housing a sudden uncertainty, she worries their situation may

[email protected]

Brianna Calix: 209-385-2477

Where to find help

The Merced County Human Service Agency can be reached at 209-385-3000.

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