"We beef up the schedule quite a bit:" Red Cross says the holidays are the busiest time of year

MILWAUKEE -- There were three separate fires in Milwaukee Monday night, December 5th and Tuesday morning, December 6th. The Red Cross is helping those who were displaced -- and Red Cross officials said this is their busiest time of the year.

Milwaukee firefighters encountered heavy flames at a home near 12th and Wright early Tuesday morning (around 3:30 a.m.). There were no injuries -- and the home was vacant.

$230,000 worth of damage was done to the building.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Fire near 12th and Wright



An hour later, around 4:30 a.m., fire crews were called out to another house fire at 83rd and Acacia. Officials said no one was home at the time of the blaze -- and no injuries were reported.

$120,000 worth of damage was done to the building.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Fire near 83rd and Acacia



On Monday night, December 5th, firefighters responded to an electrical fire near 13th and Hayes. Eight people were displaced, but no one was hurt.

$6,000 worth of damage was done in that case.

Patty Flowers



"What we do is make sure they have food, clothing and shelter," said Patty Flowers, Red Cross regional CEO, Wisconsin region.

Red Cross officials said they respond to more fires over the holidays than any other time of the year.

"We're cooking. We're getting things ready. We're putting presents in corners. We're hiding them, and unfortunately we're not always thinking straight," said Flowers.

While the overnight fires in Milwaukee did not appear to be caused by cooking -- Red Cross officials said it is the most common cause of fires over the holidays.

"Our number one thing is when you're cooking at the stove, don`t leave it. Don`t go in the room and sit down," said Flowers.

Red Cross



Red Cross Disaster Response Volunteers respond to incidents like fires 24 hours a day, seven days a week. But they need more hands on deck this holiday season.

"We beef up the schedule quite a bit. We're always looking for volunteers," said Flowers.

Red Cross officials said you should be sure to install smoke alarms in your home -- and make sure they have fresh batteries.

The Red Cross trains volunteers for disaster response throughout the year.