NEW BERLIN – During the early morning hours of Saturday, Feb. 7, emergency crews were called to two separate residential fires in the Town of New Berlin. Both incidences resulted in a total loss for the families involved.
New Berlin Fire responded to a house fire around 3 a.m. on Saturday at 1377 Turnpike Road in New Berlin. Assistance was provided by the North Norwich, Earlville, West Edmeston, Pittsfield, South New Berlin, and Sherburne fire departments. Crews were able to extinguish the flames with no injuries. Later that morning, another fire was reported at a trailer located on County Road 34 in South New Berlin. South New Berlin Fire responded to the call and was assisted by the Norwich, Oxford, and Mount Upton departments. Again, no injuries were reported and the flames were extinguished.
Both incidences resulted in total loss.
The Gorrell and Fink families were both left in dire situations as a result of Saturday's fires. But thanks to The American Red Cross and the local community, these two families will receive the help they need in these troubling times.
Jill Deskins, the Disaster Program Manager at The American Red Cross in Norwich said, “The Red Cross responded to both fires and we did assist them with their emergency needs.”
The American Red Cross responds to emergencies like this on a case-to-case basis. Every situation is handled differently – depending on the needs of the people involved. “It depends on the case and on the magnitude of the disaster,” said Deskins. “If they need a place to stay then we can put them up in a hotel for a few days. If they need food, we can give them financial assistance for food. Or if they need clothing we can give them financial assistance for clothing.”
The Red Cross will also follow up with the families in the time after the disaster. “After that we reach out to the families to find out if they have any other needs,” said Deskins. “If its something we can assist with, we do. Or we can refer them to other agencies if its not something The Red Cross can help with.”
Local churches, the UV schools, and the community at large has really come together to aid these two families as well. “It’s been absolutely amazing – the community coming together to help out,” said Jennifer Fink, mother of seven and victim of one of Saturday's fires.
“The local churches have gotten together and are getting beds for my kids, and the clothing donations are unbelievable,” said Fink. “People have been non-stop calling me and offering to help.”
The Red Cross put the Finks up in a hotel for three nights and then Father Chuck Taylor from St. Andrews church paid for an additional two nights.
The Unadilla Valley School is also doing their part to assist. All the money raised from the UV school’s Snowball Dance is being split between the two families. “The UV school district offered things for the kids as well,” said Fink. “I walked in there today and all these teachers came up and said that I will bring your kids clothes or snow pants. they offered winter stuff and they’re trying to help any way that they can.”
There have also been online “Go Fund Me” accounts started for each family. In reference to the Go Fund Me account started in her family's name, Fink said, “I would like to thank Lisa Ryan for starting the Go Fund Me and I don’t know everybody’s name that contributed to that account, but I’d like to thank the general public.”
Jessica Warner, a friend of the Gorrell family that started a Go Fund Me account in their name, said, “People have been amazing. Everyone has lots of clothes and shoes, we are mainly all set with that part, minus gloves. We are setting aside furniture and house things until they get a place to put everything.”
In all, the community efforts to help these families has been tremendous. “It’s fantastic,” said Fink. “It’s a little bit overwhelming. People just come out of the woodwork. They don’t know you and it doesn’t matter, they just give it anyway.”
For those who would like to contribute to the families affected by Saturday's fires, please visit Gofundme.com.