ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - At least 24 people were assisted by the American Red Cross after a major apartment fire at the Whispering Pines Apartments in Albany on Saturday, June 7.

The Red Cross arrived at the scene to assist those impacted after the Albany Fire Department (AFD) contained the blaze.

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According to the Red Cross, at least 13 units were affected. By Sunday afternoon, the Red Cross had helped 15 adults and nine children. The Red Cross said that this number could grow.

“This is the worst day in some people’s lives,” said Jay Lawrence with the American Red Cross.

The Red Cross said that volunteers were on the scene to help coordinate emergency aid to those affected.

“So, volunteers show up. They provide direct financial assistance. It’s not a lot of money, but it’s enough to get them by for the next 48 hours. They can use it for whatever they need,” Lawrence said.

The Red Cross provided comfort kits, direct client assistance, and recovery planning to the families to meet their disaster-caused needs.

Within the next 48 hours, each household affected by the fire will receive a call from a Red Cross case worker to discuss a recovery plan.

“So, that means working with them to call all the people they need, call the utility companies, things like that. And also referring them to other agencies that can help them. They provide clothing, furniture, whatever they need,” Lawrence said.

“Every eight minutes, the Red Cross responds to a disaster, the majority of which are home fires. That’s why the American Red Cross launched the nationwide Home Fire Campaign in 2014, which aims to reduce home fire deaths and injuries by 25 percent,” said the Red Cross in the release.

According to the Red Cross, since October 2014, the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign with community partners has saved at least 2,393 lives, including 255 in Georgia, by educating families about fire safety, helping them create escape plans, and installing free smoke alarms in high-risk areas across the country.

To learn more about the campaign and how to get involved, click here.

The cause of the fire is still unknown.

We have reached out to the AFD to learn more. Stay with us.

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