Fire forces 3 people from Durham home

Three people in Durham are out of a home because of a house fire.

Fire and smoke could be seen from the second level of the home in the 2600 block of South Alston Avenue.

The Greater Triangle Area chapter of American Red Cross is providing assistance to the three people who lived there.

Laurie Hughes, executive director of the nonprofit humanitarian organization, stepped in to help with 'financial assistance, medication that was left behind and any other articles they need to get through, like eyeglasses and such.'

No one was at home at the time of the fire, according to fire officials.

Hughes said the American Red Cross sees an uptick in house fires during the cold season.

She said unconventional heating sources, such as stoves are often to blame.

Hughes and volunteers want to use this moment to provide assistance and educate other residents.

"Individuals need to know it's not safe to heat your home by your stove and take different precautions as far as how to heat the home," Hughes said.

Durham Fire is working to determine the cause of the fire.

The department and Red Cross are partnering for a Sound the Alarm campaign on Saturday, March 9.

Both groups are teaming up to hand out smoke detectors to residents and homeowners in Durham.