Seniors displaced from Dallas apartment fire search for new place to live while hoping for assistance

DALLAS — One week in the past, there was a five-alarm hearth at Serenity Residences at Dallas, a senior dwelling advanced off Dilido Street. Greater than 120 firefighters have been on scene to extinguish the flames.

Lillian Mack Martin, a brand new resident of Serenity at Dallas, remembers that night clearly. “I used to be gripping onto the rails, you realize, attempting to get down the steps.” She will’t stand for very lengthy and depends on her walker for assist.

“Totally different ideas have been going by means of my head like I wasn’t going to make it out alive,” she stated with tears in her eyes.

2 firefighters injured, 65 residents displaced in 5-alarm hearth at Dallas senior dwelling facility, officers say

Martin is considered one of 65 residents who misplaced every part within the hearth, and who evacuated with barely something. “I had my pockets, my keys, and my cellphone, and the garments on my again,” she stated.

Now, most of the residents are searching for a brand new, everlasting place to dwell — and are involved about their future. 

Martin is a senior on a hard and fast and restricted earnings. Her best worry, she stated, “I could find yourself in a shelter, however this was not my fault.”

Ben Friedman, a spokesperson for Serenity at Dallas, reassures that the corporate is dedicated to serving to each one who misplaced their house. “We’re assured that each resident who has been displaced by it will proceed to obtain the assist that they want, and that nobody will likely be left with out a roof over their head due to this devastating hearth.”

Friedman stated they’ve been working with the Metropolis of Dallas and the Crimson Cross.

He stated, as of Thursday, Catholic Charities Dallas can also be stepping in to help with the long-term casework. 

Anybody who wish to assist the residents could make a donation to Catholic Charities. There is a fund arrange immediately for this trigger. Friedman stated Serenity at Dallas has already made the primary contribution.

A spokesperson for the American Crimson Cross instructed WFAA, “Crimson Cross is working carefully with Dallas VOAD and metropolis officers to make preparations for long-term housing options for all of the shoppers affected by the hearth on the Serenity Residences.” 

Lodge lodging will proceed by means of the weekend for many who haven’t but discovered a brand new place to dwell.