OKEECHOBEE — On June 23, local American Red Cross volunteers from the Palm Beach & Treasure Coast Chapter responded to a multi-family home fire in Okeechobee.

Local Red Cross volunteer members of the Disaster Action Team helped coordinate emergency aid to 5 families affected. Fire officials say none of the nine people were impacted by the blaze, including three children.

The Red Cross provided emergency financial assistance, health and mental health services, one-on-one support to connect people to available recovery assistance and will continue to provide additional support to the families to meet their disaster-caused needs.

According to Okeechobee County Fire Rescue's incident report, the fire started in the oven. The resident said the oven was in self cleaning mode. OCFR found a large pot inside the oven after they unplugged it and removed it from the structure.  The homeowner had already turned off power at the breaker box prior to OCFR arrival. The fire occured on Northwest 34th Avenue at approximately 2 p.m. The cause of the fire was noted as being unintentional.

Red Cross Volunteers have been trained to follow proper safety procedures and protocols to continue serving communities impacted by local disasters, during the coronavirus outbreak. At this time, volunteers are supporting individuals on a virtual basis through phone and the use of video conferencing technology.

The Red Cross’ physical presence may not be the same across the country, but the emergency help we provide will continue, including financial assistance as well as other resource like health and mental health services which may be provided over the phone.

Families in our community, across the country and around the world turn to the Red Cross every day for help because #EmergenciesDontStop. Hospital patients still need lifesaving blood; neighbors still need food, shelter and care after disasters; and military families still need support.