EagleTribune.com, North Andover, MA
Merrimack Valley
The long road home; recovery for fire victims stalled without housing
Recovery for Lawrence fire victims stalled without housing
Published: November 20, 2008
What they need
Affordable 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom apartments
Grocery store gift certificates, preferably Market Basket
Clothing, particularly winter coats, sweaters and shoes
Kitchen utensils, appliances, dishes, pots and pans
Donations can be made Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the former Saunders School on 243 Broadway. Drop-offs can be arranged at other times by calling Isabel Melendez at 978-681-4905.
LAWRENCE — They are a construction worker who had brand-new furniture, a middle-age mother caring for her two sons with disabilities, and a Dominican immigrant who had a nervous breakdown and lost his job after fire ripped through their apartments.
Twenty-four residents survived the Nov. 6 fire that destroyed two Greenwood Street homes. But two weeks after the blaze, these folks are sleeping in their cars, on basement floors and in tiny, temporary apartments.
"One day I go here, one day I go there. One night I slept in my car," said Antonio Resto, 46, a 99 Greenwood St. resident, who ran from his home in a T-shirt and pajama pants that morning.
Many lost everything they owned, but their greatest obstacle right now is finding landlords willing to rent to them.
"They need apartments and we need to send a strong message to the landlords. These people have lost everything. Give them a hand," said Isabel Melendez, community services director for Greater Lawrence Community Action Council Inc.
Melendez has spent the better part of two weeks meeting with the fire victims and pleading with city landlords. She's now taking her plea public, hoping she can find those people homes. For those who don't own rental property, consider donating something to help these people.
"If you have three bath towels, donate one," she said. "If you want to do something good for Christmas, help these people."
A tearful 19-year-old single mom admitted she accidentally set the three-alarm fire that destroyed the side-by-side Greenwood Street apartment houses.
Early that morning, the young mother got up to feed her 18-month daughter before taking her to day care. Using a cigarette lighter for illumination, she searched under her bed for her cell phone when suddenly the mattress caught fire.
The quick-moving blaze left residents living at 95-97 Greenwood St. and 99-101 Greenwood St. homeless.
Today, the fire victims need everything from dishes to winter coats to dining room tables and mattresses. Melendez, aided by a volunteer corps, is collecting and sorting all kinds of donations at the former Saunders School at 243 Broadway. The donation depot was originally opened in January, after a seven-alarm fire at Parker and Market streets left hundreds homeless.
But Melendez noted that used furniture, clothing and kitchen items are of no use to people if they have nowhere to put it.
"These people are frustrated and depressed. They have nothing left," she said.
That includes Resto, who works construction jobs. A single guy, he saved for years to buy a television, DVD player, and bedroom and living room sets. His mattress alone cost $1,200, he said.
Since the fire, he's been trying to find an apartment. One landlord was willing to rent to him, but then reneged when Resto didn't have enough money for first and last month's rent and a security deposit, he said.
A former resident of 101 Greenwood St., Carmen Gonell, 57, cares for her two disabled sons, ages 31 and 33. They left their home at 5 a.m. that morning wearing only their pajamas.
"We all came out and the fire just spread," she recalled.
With no luck yet finding a three-bedroom apartment she can afford, Gonell and her family are now staying in a friend's basement. They sleep on the floor and wonder when they'll wear out their welcome.
Gonell's husband, Melvin Acevedo, 43, said they do have insurance on the house but they haven't seen any money yet.
Yesterday, Melendez met Porfirio Diaz, 46, formerly of 99 Greenwood St., who collapsed and was hospitalized after the fire. Wearing borrowed clothes and brown slippers, Diaz asked Melendez for help. He said he suffered a nervous breakdown the day of the fire and lost his job as a temporary worker at Gillette.
"I lost my green card and my passport (in the fire)," he told Melendez, who offered her help replacing both items.
But still visibly shaken, Diaz said he has little food or clothing and no family here to rely on.
Melendez tries to assure the victims there's help coming. She also reminds them they made it out of the fire with the most precious possession — each other.
"They have their lives. We have to thank God for that," Melendez said.
