Donations pour in for Ogontz fire victims

Less than 24 hours after a seven-alarm fire raged through the Grange Manor Apartments in the city's Ogontz section of North Philadelphia, the donations began flowing in.

No one was injured in the Saturday fire, but about 100 residents - ranging in age from 78 years to a two-day-old infant - were displaced.

Most escaped with only the clothes on their backs, said Red Cross spokeswoman Janice Winston. "A lot of them lost everything."

But all day yesterday, people "opened their hearts."

They dropped off clothes, coats, shoes, TVs, radiators and other household items at a service center the agency set up inside Philippian Batptist Church at 5801 N. Broad St.

"Oh my gosh, it was pouring in," Winston said. "There are literally rooms full of clothing. Clothing outside that the volunteers haven't even brought in yet. The response from the community has been fantastic, overwhelming."

Although about 11 people stayed at the church Saturday night, by day's end yesterday, everyone had found lodging with friends or been assigned to a new apartment by the building manager, she said.

In addition, about 70 people came to the church yesterday for Red Cross services. Caseworkers met with them to provide financial assistance or groceries or tend to any health needs.

"But there are still additional people out there," Winston said.

She said that anyone who didn't make it to the church yesterday could come today to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Red Cross chapter headquarters at 23rd and Chestnut streets.

The fire broke out in the basement of the Grange Manor Apartments, at 1419 Grange Ave., shortly after 11 a.m. Saturday and was brought under control 6:10 p.m. Fire officials said yesterday that the cause was still being investigated.

Mayor Nutter, who has been criticized for closing down some fire companies, also went to the scene and praised the speed with which 179 firefighters and 47 pieces of equipment had arrived.

Meanwhile, with so much clothing and other goods donated, Winston said the agency was asking for financial contributions to the local disaster relief fund.

She said they could donated through www.redcross-philly.org or by calling 215-299-4000.