Red Cross Relocates 116 Displaced by Palms Fire
Most of the 116 people left homeless by a fire last month at the Palms apartment complex have been relocated to permanent housing, an American Red Cross official said this week.
Rick Diebold, executive director of the East San Gabriel Valley Chapter of the Red Cross, said the 58 families have been or will be placed in apartments throughout the region. Most will stay in West Covina, but some will go to Monterey Park, La Puente and Ontario.
The Red Cross will pay the first month’s rent and provide furniture and clothing, he said. Victims can apply for assistance at the chapter’s West Covina office, 1838 E. Workman Ave.
Last week, the owners of the Plaza in West Covina gave more than $11,000 in gift certificates--$100 per person--to the families, a mall spokeswoman said.
Sparks from a car fire ignited the apartment complex at 217 N. Sunset Ave. on Sept. 15. The fire destroyed more than three-quarters of the building, causing $1.2 million in damages. Stephanie Kidd, manager of the Palms, said renovation of the complex may begin in two weeks.
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