The American Red Cross is providing support to as many as 40 families today following an early morning blaze at a multiple-unit apartment complex in Niagara Falls.
Niagara Falls firefighters were called to the Pineview Apartments on Niagara Falls Boulevard near 98th street around 2am today to battle a blaze at one of the units.
American Red Cross Spokesman Jay Bonafede says all 40 of the complex's units were evacuated, leaving as many as 40 families displaced. Bonafede says the Red Cross has opened a temporary shelter at Saint James Lutheran church on nearby Niagara Road, noting "We're going to have cots there for people to take a break and sleep, especially if this becomes an overnight thing. Obviously, that will be determined throughout the day. We'll have some coffee. We'll eventually make sure we have some meals there. The volunteers also know how to get the recovery process started, to fill out paperwork for other assistance for referrals to other agencies." Normally, Bonafede adds, with a single family house fire or a smaller apartment fire the Red Cross is able to provide support using hotel vouchers.
No injuries have been reported. Fire investigators are examining the damage as they look for a cause.