Community responds to victims of Mather fire
The nearly two dozen people displaced by a Saturday fire that destroyed an apartment complex in Mather have been met with an outpouring of support as the investigation into what started the blaze continues.
No cause had been determined for the fire as of Monday morning, said Richard Policz, director of emergency management for Greene County. A state fire marshal had responded to the early-morning fire on Third Street before he was called away to another Greene County fire Saturday. He had not released any findings as of yet, Policz said.
The large multi-family unit and the chilly temperatures had posed obstacles, but the response had gone better than expected, Policz said.
“We thought there’d be more injuries. However, that didn’t happen, which we’re very thankful for,” he said.
At least three residents had been driven or flown to area hospitals, with several other residents seeking treatment. Policz said no residents suffered life-threatening injuries in the fire, although at least one of the residents had received a serious leg injury after jumping from their apartment, he said.
The Salvation Army, American Red Cross and Jefferson Fire Department are managing donations, Policz said.
Bonnie Davis, director of the Greene County Salvation Army, said within five minutes of receiving a call about the fire, a Salvation Army emergency disaster truck was en route to Mather, while Washington County also sent their truck down with food, water and heating plates for the first responders and victims.
So far, Davis knows of 14 adults and six children displaced by the fire, though she expected that number to grow by at least a couple of children. Davis is still working to get in touch with all of the fire victims, some of whom may have lost their phones in the fire, she said.
After getting a call from Greene County 911, Davis stopped by the Salvation Army donation center in Waynesburg to pick up 50 jackets, blankets, food, socks and toys for kids.
“I didn’t want them to wait until today, because it was cold, so I just packed my car,” she said.
Shortly after opening Monday, the Salvation Army had already received $70 in monetary donations, plus a large screen TV and several bags of clothing.
Monday, they announced they are seeking specific sizes of clothes: boys 6/7, men’s medium/large shirts, men’s 32/34 pants, women’s large shirts and medium pants, girls 4T clothes.
They are also seeking household items such as pots and pans, cleaning supplies, food, blankets, socks, toiletries and pet food, among other items.
“When they find a place to live, they’re going to need all that – silverware, paper towels, toilet paper, you name it … we can store it right here, make it a little section,” Davis said.
She also recommended people buy gift cards to businesses in the area such as Walmart or Giant Eagle, which will allow the victims to stock their food supplies and buy other household items.
At this point, Davis said, the biggest need will be financial.
“It’s easy to bring your clothes in, but it’s going to be hard when they get their apartments and get whatever they need,” she said. “Think about all the vehicles that were just iced over, damaged.”
The Salvation Army will also be helping cover the cost of prescriptions. So far, two of the displaced people have needed hotel rooms, with the rest finding temporary shelter with family, Davis said. The Salvation Army will put people up in a hotel for up to three days, if needed; after that, they would work with the county Department of Human Services, which could provide lodging for another three to five days.
In a Facebook post Sunday, the Jefferson Fire Department asked residents not to donate any more clothes, although it is still accepting household goods and toiletry supplies. If there are any specific items the fire victims need or request, the department will include them in another post.
The department also thanked community members and other agencies for the “overwhelming support.”
So far, the Red Cross has helped 15 adults and four children affected by the fire, regional communications manager Christina Maisel said in a statement. On Saturday, the Red Cross had set up a temporary evacuation center to provide displaced residents with comfort, care, emergency financial assistance and other resources. They will also provide services for the victims’ physical and mental health.
“Every disaster is different, and so are the needs of each family,” she said. “In the days and weeks ahead, Red Cross volunteers will work with each family individually to create a recovery plan for their next steps. Red Cross emergency financial assistance empowers people to cover their most pressing needs, such as shelter, food, clothing or other supplies.”
Policz thanked the first responders, donors and everyone who had stepped up, from the Mather Christian Church, which lent its space as a staging area on the day of the fire, to the Morgan Township supervisors who showed up to salt the roads so everyone could get in and out safely.
“It just shows that the community does come together when needed. So we’re very appreciative at this office,” he said.
To donate for the fire victims to the Salvation Army, write checks out to Greene County Salvation Army, 131 West First St., Waynesburg, PA 15370. The memo line should note “allocation for EDS.” Cash donations will also be accepted at the office, with receipts provided.
The Jefferson Fire Department is accepting monetary donations for the fire victims through Venmo at @jeffersonvfc, and by check to JVFC, PO Box 236, Jefferson, PA 15344. The check should include “Mather Fire Victims” on the memo line.