In the days after a three-alarm fire tore through a Rockville apartment complex on Friday, local nonprofits are collecting donations to aid the dozens of people who were displaced.
A fire that started on a second-story balcony was picked up by the wind Friday and spread through about 30 apartment units at the Fireside Park Apartments in the 700 block of Monroe Street, Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service spokesman Pete Piringer said. The fire displaced 33 families, according to Rockville officials.
Three local groups are collecting donations and seeking volunteers. Rockville Housing Enterprises, a public housing agency, is accepting donations of clothing, jackets, toiletries, hygiene products, bedding, baby items and household items, according to a Rockville press release. The agency is also looking for volunteers to take in, sort and distribute the donations, which can be dropped off from 1 to 3 p.m. daily at the David Scull Community Center at 1251 First St. in Rockville.
Interfaith Works, a nonprofit coalition of various faith groups, is also collecting clothing and small household items, which can be dropped off at Interfaith Works Clothing Center at 751 Twinbrook Parkway.
A Wider Circle, a group focused on helping poor families, is accepting furniture and household goods at its warehouse at 9159 Brookville Road in Silver Spring.
No residents were injured in the fire, which Piringer said was a “miracle,” although many lost most or all of their possessions. A firefighter sustained minor injuries, and firefighters rescued several pets, including one dog that had burns and suffered from smoke inhalation.
Fire officials have not determined the cause of the flames, Piringer said Monday afternoon.
This story was updated at 5:30 p.m. to clarify that Interfaith Works is not collecting monetary donations to distribute to the displaced residents.