A late-December apartment fire left about 28 families without homes, many of them immigrants from Tibet and Nepal, and local leaders are asking the public for help.
The blaze occurred the evening of Saturday, Dec. 20 on the 500 block of Lexington Avenue in El Cerrito. Fire crews from El Cerrito and Richmond responded, and occupants had already evacuated safely by the time Richmond’s Engine 64 arrived to assist.
No serious injuries were reported, but the damage made multiple units unlivable just before the holidays.
Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia visited affected families over the holidays and shared a message asking residents to support the American Red Cross Northern California Coastal Region, which provided immediate shelter, food and help finding new housing.
“Please consider donating to the Red Cross because they help us right here in our own community,” Gioia said.
Gioia noted that county agencies and local nonprofits are also assisting families as they work to rebuild stability.
To help these families and others in need, go to www.redcross.org, then click on “Give Now”, then “Disaster Relief.”
Mike Kinney contributed to this report
