Firefighters donate $5,000 to the Red Cross in response to weekend blazes

By Dylan Scott

Monday, Jan. 3, 2011 | 12:40 p.m.

In response to eight fires that displaced more than 70 people in the Las Vegas Valley over New Year's weekend, area firefighters reached into their pockets to soften the landing for those forced from their homes, donating $5,000 to the Red Cross.

Firefighters from Las Vegas, North Las Vegas and Henderson made the combined donation to the "Fire Hurts ... Red Cross Helps" campaign, which helps with immediate needs such as food, clothing and shelter for the displaced.

In the weekend fires, 29 of those displaced were children.

"We knew we had to step up and help," said Dean Fletcher, president of the city of Las Vegas firefighters union, in a news release. "The Red Cross is always there helping people and this was a way for us to help them."

The Red Cross has already spent $15,000 toward helping the families, said Jennifer Ramieh, a spokeswoman for the group.

Fires raged in several corners of the valley over the holiday weekend, including a blaze at Lakewood Cove Apartments, 1100 Center St. in Henderson, that involved multiple apartments and displaced 40 people. That fire caused an estimated $200,000 in damage and displaced 20 children.

Those interested can donate by visiting redcrosslasvegas.org or calling 702-369-3674.