The American Red Cross of Santa Monica responded to a help those displaced by a fire at an apartment building in the 200 bock of Washington Avenue at 3rd Street on February 12.
Eight families were rendered temporarily homeless. The Red Cross placed them local motels for the weekend or until other arrangements could be made for more permanent housing pending repairs. Other fire victims stayed with family or friends, or made their own housing arrangements.
Tenants informed a Red Cross representative that four to six apartments above the carports were directly involved with some fire damage in addition to smoke, soot and water damage. Three cars parked in the carports were completely destroyed. The remaining units in the building all had smoke damage.
All utilities — gas, electric and water — were shut off to the building and the two-story structure was “yellow tagged” by the Santa Monica Building and Safety Department meaning the building was unsuitable for habitation and tenants could briefly enter only for emergency purposes.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, but what is known is that the fire started in a carport at the rear of the 24-unit building.
The Santa Monica Red Cross will also provide additional services on an “as needed” basis to the fire victims.
