Red Cross to Meet With Fire Victims About Finding New Homes

RALEIGH, N.C. — Two separate fires destroyed the homes of more than 100 people in Raleigh. The Red Cross immediately stepped in to provide food, clothing and hotel vouchers. But now time is running out for 36 families to find permanent housing.

Thirty-six families totaling 102 people have stayed at hotels using Red Cross vouchers. All of the families have had their lives disrupted by Thursday’s fires at Pine Knoll Townes and the Pines of Ashton communities.

A hotel room at the Comfort Inn Suites has been a temporary residence for Randolyn Hinton and Manuel Davis. The room is filled with donated goods, which is all that they have left to call their own.

“I never thought that it would happen to me,” Hinton said.

They lost nearly everything on Thursday in the fire that ripped through the Pine Knoll Townes community. But now that the vouchers are running out, Hinton and Davis said Sunday night be their last evening in their hotel room.

"Hopefully I can find somewhere for me to stay and just go on with my life,” Hinton said.

The Red Cross will begin meeting with families early Monday morning to gauge their plans.

"Our first step is to get people in temporary shelter,” said Red Cross representative Barry Porter. “That's why we put them up through the weekend. Then we'll meet with them tomorrow morning. We're not going to leave anyone homeless."

The local chapter of the Red Cross said that because of the large number of people being affected by the fires, they have tapped into the national fund to assist families. They are also accepting donation to help victims.