Donation drive to be held for 30 residents who were displaced by New Year’s Eve apartment fire

LINCOLN, R.I. (WLNE) – A clothing drive is being held for the victims of a New Year’s Eve fire that broke out at a Lincoln apartment complex.

The 3-alarm-fire destroyed a 12 unit apartment complex, displacing a total of 30 people.

Lincoln Police Captain Philip Gould said, “Although no one was injured in the fire, the victims were literally only able to escape with the shirts on their back.”

Members of the Lincoln Police, Fire, and Rescue Departments are partnering with volunteers from the Lincoln Town Hall to hold a donation drive on Sunday, January 3rd from 12-4 p.m.

The drive will be held in the Lincoln Town Hall parking lot, located at 100 Old River Road.

Those who wish to donate items must wear a face mask and maintain proper distancing when making their donation.

Captain Gould said volunteers will be available to retrieve and sort donated items to be delivered to those families in need.

Items needed include:

• Gently used coats, shoes, hats, pants, and shirts.
• Undergarments and personal hygiene products must be new and in the original packaging.

Captain Gould says they are also accepting gift cards.

Those with any specific questions are asked to contact Mrs. Peggy Weigner at (401)-333-8431.

The Fire Chief said the call for the fire came in just after midnight. According to several residents, that’s when fireworks started to go off. One person on the third floor tells ABC 6 News he heard a loud boom and then the building went up in flames.

Fire Chief Andrews says the cause is still under investigation.

Kayle LaFlamme says she just moved in there weeks ago. Now, she’s starting 2021 with nothing.

“What a way to start the New Year,” LaFlamme said. “I hope it gets better from here.”

However it started, it took everything from six of the 12 units. LaFlamme says she not only lost all her belongings, but also her two cats.

“They got all of them except for my two,” LaFlamme said. “My two are still up there or somewhere. They mean a lot to me. I’ve had Sammy which is the white and orange cat since 2015. He’s my everything, I couldn’t live without him.”

All 12 families are being taken care of by American Red Cross. The State Fire Marshal was also called to the scene. The agency will look into the cause of the fire.