Holts Summit community steps up to help fire victims

Many members of the Holts Summit community and surrounding areas are pitching in to help those whose apartments were destroyed.

Friday, a fire at Evergreen Apartments in Holts Summit left more than 50 people homeless, including about 20 children.

More than 40 firefighters, police and first responders came from Holts Summit, Callaway County, New Bloomfield and Jefferson City.

Katharine Mayne with the American Red Cross said about 12 volunteers came to help Friday. And about half a dozen more are working Saturday in the American Red Cross office.

Katharine Mayne, American Red Cross: “They met with each one of the families who was affected by the fire who had lived in the apartment building. Met with each family, filled out some paperwork and were able to help each family with some food and clothing.”

Volunteers traveled to help from as far as Montgomery City, which is about an hour away. Others came from Jefferson City and Fulton. McDonald’s in Holts Summit and Fulton even donated food to the emergency crews. And the apartment owners gave each family $300 to pay for hotel rooms and other living costs.

Mayne said it is only day two, and the Red Cross will continue to help the families until they can get back on their feet.

Mayne: “The Red Cross will further follow up with these families for a long time, months, to help them find a place to live. We have some other financial assistance in terms of assistance for first month’s rent.”

Investigators and a few people from the insurance company inspected the area Saturday. They were able to rescue one of the resident’s cats that was stuck in the building.

Union Hill Baptist Church in Holts Summit is collecting donations. Sunday, it will be open from 2:00 to 4:00 to give victims affected by the fire food and clothes.

Owners said they are still waiting on a damage estimate. They are not sure at this point if they will have to tear down the building. They said they will make calls to residents early next week about when they can go back into their home to see if any items can be salvaged.