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Arson Fire Displaces Eleven St Joe Families

The Midland Empire Chapter of the American Red Cross is providing shelter and other assistance to eleven families displaced by a fire at the Brittany Village Apartments in St Joseph. The fire at about 5 a.m. Sunday displaced 23 people.

Fire inspectors believe the fire was deliberately set, and are forwarding information to the St Joseph Police Department. The fire was contained mostly to a laundry room, but caused extensive smoke damage. The damage total was estimated at $300,000.

Yanela Larrea and & 1 year old son Jose Resting At Red Cross Shelter

Red Cross officials say they opened a reception center to shelter, feed and begin casework to meet emergency needs of the families.

They were provided breakfast and cots to rest as volunteers met with the families. New housing is being secured and families were being provided financial assistance.

A disaster action team of six Red Cross volunteers was deployed to assist the displaced families.

All Red Cross disaster assistance is provided through donors by the public. This event is the largest to strike in the St. Joseph area in 2012.

If you would like to help people affected by disasters here and countless crises around the world, you can make a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Send contributions to the local American Red Cross chapter, 401 North 12th Street, St. Joseph, MO 64501.

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