Red Cross helps fire victims

CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) - Chesapeake fire crews were back at the scene Tuesday morning where a fire forced four families out of their apartments Monday night. Firefighters returned to the Parkside Drive complex because someone thought they saw smoke, but investigators found nothing.

What they did discover was what sparked the fire.

"It appears from what the residents told us and a resident from the bottom apartment said, the fire started when her 2-year-old accidentally knocked over a candle," Chief Dan Fermil said.

A candle and a child--both harmless in nature--but still able to cause more than a dozen people to lose their homes.

"I'm glad that her kids [were] all right, that she was able to get her kids out. That's the main thing. Forget the furniture, the house, the apartment and stuff, as long as those kids are safe that's all that matters," Rhonda Smith said at the scene Monday.

And although a family is thankful that all its members are safe, they still have to deal with the loss of a home. That's where the Red Cross comes in.

"We're the ones who get called right after the firefighters to a scene they call us to get these people some help, back on their feet and get them starting over again," Red Cross Spokesman Rob Shapiro said.

The Red Cross was able to help the 19 people who lost their apartments Monday night. But they don't have an endless supply of funds.

Their mission to provide assistance to someone else in the same situation can only continue if people continue to give.

"In Hampton Roads , people are experiencing home fires every few days where they lose everything and we're there to help, with financial donations of the people of HR to get these people back on their feet," Shaprio added.

If you would like to donate to the Red Cross, CLICK HERE .