READING, Pa. \u2013 On Friday, the urgent questions on North 10th Street were about the fire. Now, for the families who can\u2019t go home, the questions are different.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat did you lose? What do you need immediately?\u201d said Peter Brown, executive director of the American Red Cross Pennsylvania Rivers Chapter.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s where Red Cross volunteers begin. The organization is helping 32 people from Friday\u2019s fire, along with about 26 from the recent fire on Oct. 11 in the 600 block of North Ninth Street.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut it was very surprising and really unfortunate to have two fires in Reading in such close proximity and involving so many families,\u201d Brown said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur goal with the immediate response to a fire is to make sure people have a place to stay, access to food and a feeling of safety,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
First comes somewhere safe to sleep and food to eat. Then, replacing things families may have left behind \u2014 medicine, glasses and clothing. But finding their next home can be complicated.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the current housing shortage in Berks County, for many of our families, finding the next place to live after a fire is one of the most challenging parts of their recovery,\u201d Brown said.<\/p>\n
Each family gets a caseworker to help sort through those needs and connect with other organizations.<\/p>\n
\u201cExperiencing a fire really is, makes you feel that you\u2019ve lost the power over a lot of things in your life,\u201d Brown said.<\/p>\n
Those caseworkers can stay involved for weeks, even months, and almost all that work is done by volunteers.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not unusual for a caseworker to work with a family for 30, 60 or even 90 days, depending on the number of needs that they have,\u201d Brown said.<\/p>\n
\nCopyright 2026 Maranatha Broadcasting Co., Inc.. All Rights Reserved.\n<\/p>\n
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