LEWISTON — Service agencies, businesses and neighbors were assisting residents left homeless after their downtown apartment buildings were destroyed by fire Monday afternoon.
Some of the displaced residents were directed to Blake Street Towers for food, warmth and services provided by the American Red Cross.
Jennifer Gaylord of the American Red Cross arrived as people were sitting down to pizza donated by Sam’s Italian Sandwich Shop and water donated by Poland Spring Water Co.
Gaylord said that as of 8 p.m. they had served about 75 people left homeless by the fires at Blake, Bates and Pine streets.
“This, for me, is exactly why I do what I do,” she said. It’s the outpouring of the community, the families and communities supporting each other in times of crisis that keeps her going, she said.
One of those left homeless was Katie Hunnefield of 82 Pine St.
“I was at Pep Boys for an inspection sticker,” she said, when her phone started ringing with calls from family and friends.
Hunnefield said she called the police, who told her the fire was on Blake Street, affording her a little comfort. She left Pep Boys and came back to find her neighborhood in chaos and her building in flames, she said.
Holding her mother’s hand, Hunnefield tearfully recounted how the family had recently lost their “Nana.” A hand-made blanket from her grandmother was all she had to remember her by, she said. She slept with it every night, she said.
A Salvation Army canteen was set up on Bates Street next to Kennedy Park to feed displaced residents and first responders.
“Our No. 1 priority is to keep the first responders hydrated,” said Lt. Jason Brake of the Salvation Army. He said the canteen was offering water, hot stew and ravioli for anyone in need.
As CMP worked to restore power to neighboring buildings and fire operations wrapped up on Blake Street late Monday night, Salvation Army volunteers scoured the streets, picking up discarded pizza boxes and other debris.
A pair of workers, Wesley and Kelly Stover, were cleaning up in front of the Pine Street building when movement behind the window caught Wesley’s eye. It was a cat belonging to fire victim Jessica Foster. It was alive and awaiting rescue.
“I got my bird out but the police told me to leave the cat,” Foster said, holding her wet but content feline named Chris.
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