Service Groups Provide Relief for Victims Displaced by Fire

Little could be done Thursday to console the residents in 16 apartments units who lost personal property and pets in an apartment fire that morning that ravaged through the Lake Pointe Village Apartments in Plymouth Township.

Representatives from the American Red Cross and Salvation Army, however, arrived at the scene to offer any help they could to get the residents through a difficult time.

The service groups were on hand Thursday to offer blankets and warm beverages to residents and firefighters, while helping displaced residents find a place to stay for the next couple of days and replace clothing lost in the blaze.

For the Salvation Army, the efforts were split between helping residents of the apartment and keeping the fire crews warm.

Major Keith Bailey of the Salvation Army said his group provided food, coffee and hot cocoa to firefighters working in the frigid March temperatures, as well as providing counseling to fire victims.

Allison Koenigbauer, a public relations representative for the American Red Cross, said her group offers food, clothing and shelter for fire victims throughout southeastern Michigan.

"When there's a fire, we do a damage assessment, we will interview the people affected and see what kind of assistance they need," Koenigbauer said. 

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly attributed the American Red Cross quotes. The quotes belong to Allison Koenigbauer. Her name has been corrected in this version of the story and in the accompanying video.