On Saturday, August 3, 2024, an apartment building fire on School Street in Passaic destroyed belongings and left nine families without a home. An additional three buildings, containing nine units each, were evacuated as a safety precaution.

Volunteers with the American Red Cross New Jersey Region Disaster Action Team responded and an Emergency Response Vehicle with supplies was dispatched to the scene. The team immediately opened a reception center for those displaced from all buildings and provided comfort items, dinner and snacks. In coordination with the City of Passaic, it was determined that a temporary shelter would be needed, and the Red Cross Shelter Strike Team was activated.

That evening, Red Cross volunteers set up a shelter at the Muhammed Ali School #23 on Dayton Street in Passaic, and five families stayed overnight. Some families from the additional buildings visited the shelter for meals and information throughout the next day. Our Disaster Health Services volunteers helped at least one person with medical needs. Since Saturday, the Red Cross has provided at least 60 overnight stays at this shelter and accommodated two family pets.

Red Cross volunteer caseworkers met with the families and have provided 49 people in 18 families with emergency financial assistance for things like food, clothing and other immediate needs. Residents in two of the adjacent buildings have been able to return home. 

YOU CAN HELP You can help people affected by disasters like home fires, floods, hurricanes and countless other crises by making a gift to Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. Visit redcross.org, call 800-RED-CROSS ((800-733-2767), or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.