Fire leaves 11 homeless

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This home on Community Road in Millingport caught fire Wednesday afternoon.

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November 17, 2008

Recent string of incidents places American Red Cross in critical need of contributions

By Dexter Hinson, Staff Writer The Stanly News & Press Mon Nov 17, 2008, 08:19 AM EST

Sunday, November 16, 2008 — The fourth fire in four weeks has displaced another family near Albemarle.

Around 2 p.m. Wednesday, emergency personnel received a phone call from a neighbor who heard an explosion at 29354 Community Road near the Millingport community.

That explosion was minor and unrelated to the fire’s inception, being that it came from a small propane tank that was most likely used for a lantern, fire officials said.

The tank was hit by a flame from the fire’s source.

According to Stanly County Fire Marshal Michael Roark, the fire began when the heat from a mechanic-styled work light that was left on overnight sparked fire onto a nearby cardboard box on the house’s back deck.

As the fire quickly spread, all four members of the Xiong family that were home at the time were able to escape. There were reportedly 11 people living in the home, and there were no injuries.

This incident is the most recent in a string of fires in Albemarle dating back to Oct. 14, according to Jean Hendley, executive director for the Stanly County chapter of the American Red Cross.

A fire started by a 7-year-old on Oct. 25 at 223 East Park Ave. burned one apartment and caused power to be turned off for precaution in the other apartments, affecting 11 people.

A fire began Oct. 30 at 409 N. Broome St. after vapors from lighter fluid caused a man’s clothes to catch on fire. A family of seven was displaced.

A fire Nov. 7 started by a discarded cigarette at 820 West Main St. displaced four people and claimed the life of one man.

The local chapter of the American Red Cross has made itself available at the occurrence of each tragedy and has supplied each set of victims with the necessary provisions, including lodging, food, clothing, toiletries and any necessary medication(s).

However, through making these necessities available, the funds and resources of the Red Cross have been depleted, so much so that the local chapter had to reactivate its line of credit with a bank and ask for as much as $6,000, spending $3,000 of that to handle the expenses of the most recent tragedy.

Running on a July to June fiscal calendar, the Red Cross began its year on July 1 $13,900 in the red, and as of Nov. 13 is $12,800 in the red.

“Contributions and grants to our chapter supporting response to these tragedies have fallen short,” Hendley said.

“Though we are deeply grateful for our many friends who help support our local Disaster Relief fund, we are asking the people of Stanly County to help our chapter avoid a financial crisis that could threaten our ability to respond to local disasters.”

In order to contribute and help the people of Stanly County in the midst of disaster, contributions can be sent to the American Red Cross, 243 W. Main St., Albemarle, NC 28001.

All disaster assistance is free.

Contact Dexter Hinson by e-mail at snaponline21@carolina.rr.com.