School rushes to help Monroeville fire victims
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Help is on the way for families of the Cambridge Square Apartment in Monroeville where a fire last night destroyed several buildings in the complex.
John Beale, Post-GazetteA worker sweeps up around the entrance to the Cambridge Square apartment building in Monroeville that was destroyed by fire last night. Several firefighters were injured, and 18 families were left homeless by the blaze.
Click photo for larger image.
The Parent Teacher Organization at Ramsey Elementary School has begun distributing small goods and clothing to families and students of the school who live at Cambridge Square.
The American Red Cross has reported that it is assisting 18 families, including 41 individuals, who were burned out by the fire.
Some have been provided temporary housing at a nearby Red Roof Inn.
Donald Shuker, principal at Ramsey Elementary, said today that his school's PTO swiftly went into action last night to organize. The group is accepting donations to benefit those affected.
"They've gotten a pretty good response so far," Mr. Shuker said of the PTO.
The PTO will accept donations from outside the area as well. The immediate need is for monetary donations that will be used to buy food and clothing gift cards.
The organization will seek later to provide help with larger household items after the displaced families have more stable housing.
Donations can be made to: Ramsey PTO Fire Relief Fund, 2200 Ramsey Road, Monroeville 15146.
There are hundreds of people living in Cambridge Square, and many of the children there attend Ramsey Elementary School.
Five of Ramsey's students and their families lost everything in the fire.
The blaze is under investigation.
John Rowntree, a Monroeville fire chief, said six people were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. One firefighter suffered minor burns, another a hand injury and a third had a shoulder injury. Several others received minor injuries.
The Allegheny County fire marshal's office is investigating.
More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
First Published April 20, 2006 12:00 am
