Area residents have been coming together to help the Carpentersville families left without homes or possessions following a massive Saturday morning fire at a Meadowdale Court apartment complex building.
So many items have been donated that the village announced it was no longer accepting physical goods, like clothing, Village President John Skillman said. But the American Red Cross, District 300 Food Pantry and FISH Food Pantry are still accepting items, and gift cards to restaurants, grocery stores and retail stores are welcome, he said.
While the source of the fire remains under investigation, it does not appear to be suspicious, Skillman said.
It started about 1 a.m. on the first floor of the 104 Meadowdale Court building and spread up to the roof. Twenty-three of the building’s 24 units were occupied, and damage estimated at $2 million.
As of Monday night, five people displaced by the blaze remained in temporary housing being provided by the village.
“A lot of people are saying, ‘Carpentersville strong.’ It’s really great,” Skillman said. While the situation is heartbreaking, those affected by it are “seeing the outpouring (from people wanting to help them) firsthand,” he said.
Within hours of the fire, local residents were dropping off clothing, blankets, hygiene items, shoes and household items, he said. People from all around the area have contacted the village about how they can help the families impacted.
A village newsletter updating the situation echoed Skillman’s comments on the generosity that has been seen.
“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you,” the newsletter said. “This is what community looks like, people showing up, lifting each other up and moving forward together.”
Also stepping up was the Loyal Order of Moose, which opened its lodge at 309 Lake Marian Road to provide a place for residents to go immediately after being evacuated by the blaze and while waiting for the American Red Cross to respond.
Residents who didn’t have a place to go for the night were offered temporary shelter at the village’s Public Works Building, where the Red Cross provided staffing, Skillman said. Since that building is used as a cooling and warming center during the winter and summer, it was easy to use it as an emergency shelter, he said.
“It just all came together,” he said.
The Red Cross is also providing case management, which involves providing financial assistance guidance, long-term housing support and resources needed to rebuild a life after a catastrophic incident, village officials said. A meeting at which families could register for assistance was to be held Tuesday night.
Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.