Red Cross closes overnight shelter, continues to help people displaced by West Oakland fire

The American Red Cross and other social service agencies stepped up to help those displaced by an apartment complex fire in Pittsburgh’s West Oakland neighborhood, the president of the tenants’ council said Tuesday.

“They have brought us clothes, brought us food, gave us medical supplies, personal supplies,” said Mischelle McMillan, president of the De Raud Tenant Council.

McMillan is among the people who had been sheltered at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center by the American Red Cross.

The Red Crossed announced Tuesday evening that, because all of those displaced by the fire found alternative housing or shelter, its shelter in the convention center would close Tuesday night.

Allegheny Housing Rehabilitation Company, the operator of the apartments, is also working to help those who were displaced.

“Our goal is to really try to identify as many units in the neighborhood as possible,” said AHRCO President Lara Washington. “

Three of six apartment buildings AHRCO operated in the neighborhood are uninhabitable after a 6-alarm fire broke out Saturday at 2018 De Ruad St., Washington said.

The other buildings that were severely damaged are 2035 and 2041 Fifth Ave., Washington said.

The fire, which authorities say was started by a six year old playing with matches in a laundry room, initially displaced 74 residents in the area.

McMillan, who lived in a first-floor apartment, said the building quickly burned once it caught fire.

She said residents have long had issues with maintenance at the building and said there were problems at the apartments before the fire.

Washington dismissed those claims and said the buildings were properly maintained.

“We aren’t aware of any recent complaints,” Washington said.

AHRCO’s concern was for the families displaced and the company was working to find them help and homes on Tuesday, Washington said.

AHRCO has also partnered with I Dream A World and other organizations to provide transportation, living staples and necessities.

Any organization wishing to assist residents with new clothing items, new or gently used household goods, or gift cards should contact I Dream a World at 412-894-8988.

McMillan said she was offered an AARCO apartment at its Mon-View Heights complex in West Mifflin.

Red Cross officials are sympathetic to the needs of those displaced, said Lisa Landis, marketing and communications manager for the American Red Cross Greater Pennsylvania region.

Though the overnight Red Cross shelter was closing on Tuesday, the organization’s announcement said it would continue to work with those displaced to transition to new housing.

“When you go through a disaster like this, it’s catastrophic,” Landis said.

Red Cross volunteer Karen Miller agreed.

“Think about if something like that happened to you,” Miller said. “Everybody understands and has compassion for what these folks are going through.”

Photographer Nate Smallwood contributed to this report. Tom Davidson is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tom at 724-226-4715, tdavidson@tribweb.com or via Twitter @TribDavidson.