Published: January 02, 2009 08:43 pm      

Red Cross helping Mercer, McDowell families who suffered house fires

PRINCETON — Four New Year’s Day house fires in Mercer and McDowell counties gave the area’s American Red Cross chapter an early start on its ongoing fire relief efforts.

Fire fighters were dispatched Thursday to residential fires in Bradshaw, Princeton, Oakvale and Athens. Damages varied from moderate damage to total losses for the home owners, and no injuries were reported.

“The Red Cross will be assisting them,” said Phyllis Sheets, manager of the local Red Cross. “We’ve made contact, but we have not set down with them yet. I just did one for the Bradshaw area, too, yesterday (Thursday).”

Up to four fires in one day is unusual, but the Red Cross is constantly getting calls about helping people after fire destroyed or damaged their homes. The pace can pick up during the winter months when homeowners try to use alternate heating sources.

“The fires in Mercer and McDowell County never let up,” Sheets said. “We’re here to help, and just as soon as they make arrangements to see me, I’ll be glad to meet with them. It’s such a shock for them. They need to lay down and rest and get their thoughts together.”

Red Cross volunteers wrapped Christmas presents at the Mercer Mall during the holiday shopping season to raise funds. Shoppers could pay to get their packages wrapped or make monetary donations, Sheets said. Money earned by the project helps house fire victims.

“It’s down from last year, but it was a success,” Sheets said of this year’s donations. “But we’re still in great need. We wrapped about the same number of packages as last year, but a lot of times people didn’t just drop by and donate.”

People who wish to help residents affected by the recent fires or contribute to the Red Cross fire fund can send donations to the American Red Cross, 417 Bland St., Bluefield, WV, 24701. Sheets can be contacted at (304) 327-5017.