East Greenwich assisting 20 families displaced from apartment fire, request help from public

EAST GREENWICH, R.I. (WLNE) — The East Greenwich Emergency Management Agency and East Greenwich Public Schools said they are assisting 20 families affected by the Brookside Terrace Apartment fire.

On Dec. 14, the three-story apartment building caught fire and sustained “significant” water and smoke damage, as well as damage in one stairwell from the ground level to the roof.

EGEMA and EGPS said families will not be able to reside in their homes for several months, and are working with the American Red Cross to offer resources.

The organizations are working together to create a Recovery Center which will allow the families to “receive services and resources to meet their needs.”

Since Dec. 14, EGPS said it has been working towards ensuring affected children that attend schools in the district have been placed in temporary housing, receive reliable transportation to school through the bus, and get daily check-ins with the social work team so immediate needs are covered.

Additionally, EGPS has reached out to food banks, clothing providers, and supply providers.

To help support the impacting families, EGPS asks anyone interested to donate gift cards to the East Greenwich Interfaith Cupboard or East Greenwich Public Schools, or send check donations to EGPS.

EGPS requests gift cards to:

• Target
• Walmart
• Local grocery stores
• Food take-out cards
• Fast food
• Retail pharmacies
• Gas stations
• Transportation gift cards
• VISA cards

However, EGPS said not to donate direct goods donations due to the displaced families potentially not having a place to store the goods.

Anyone with questions is asked to contact the EGPS’s superintendent’s office.