By Lookout Staff
January 20 – A Santa Monica man was left homeless after his one-bedroom apartment was destroyed by fire Monday afternoon, but the Red Cross, in addition to the Fire Department, came to the rescue.
Neighbors tried to douse the fire with garden hoses before firefighters put out the blaze at 1423 9th Street, according to Red Cross officials. There were no injuries.
The cause of the fire, which did not spread to other units, is unknown.
The local Red Cross will put up the man, who is single, at the Travelodge on Pico Boulevard, said Bill Bauer, a spokesman for the Red Cross.
In addition to picking up the hotel coast for a couple of days, the Red Cross issued an Client Assistance emergency debit card so that the victim can replace basic necessities lost in the fire, such as shoes and clothing.
The voucher also will cover the cost of food, medicine or other critical needs for the short term.
The American Red Cross of Santa Monica, is a publicly supported, 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that provides health and safety education, youth services, blood services, CPR and first aid training, disaster awareness and disaster relief efforts. The Santa Monica chapter is located at 1450 11th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401, Phone: 310-394-3773 or online at www.redcrossofsantamonica.org
