"I cried:" Some residents allowed back inside after fire killed 1, displaced dozens in Sheboygan
SHEBOYGAN -- One person was killed and more than 40 others were displaced by a fire at the Embers Apartments in Sheboygan early Sunday, August 21st. Fire damaged half of the complex. The other half was damaged by smoke and water.
American Red Cross opens temporary shelter at Farmsworth Middle School in Sheboygan
The American Red Cross had to open a temporary shelter at Farnsworth Middle School in Sheboygan to assist those displaced as a result of the fire.
The State Fire Marshal is looking into the cause of the fire. The identity of the deceased has not yet been released.
It was an emotional day Monday, August 22nd as residents returned to charred debris, ashes and rubble.
"I cried. It seems like you are going to wake up any minute and everything is going to be OK, but it's not," Amy Nezbeth said.
Amy Nezbeth
Nezbeth was one of the few residents allowed back to her home Monday after the fire Sunday morning.
"It`s a little surreal. Feels like it`s not really happening -- but it is. Then you come and see the damage and the devastation," Nezbeth said.
Fire destroys portion of apartment complex in Sheboygan
On Monday, inspectors were on scene, working with fire officials to assess the damage. A few apartments were deemed safe enough for residents to enter and retrieve some belongings.
"I'm just grabbing valuable stuff -- papers, documents," Tony Wilke said.
Some were able to salvage what they could, while others had nothing to come back to.
"It's sad," Nezbeth said.
"Out of the 42 units, I believe there`s about 12 or 15 we are not allowing people into right now," Chuck Butler, deputy fire chief said.
Fire destroys portion of apartment complex in Sheboygan
Meanwhile, displaced residents are being cared for by Red Cross volunteers at Farnsworth Middle School.
"We are opening a MARC (Tuesday). MARC is a multiple agency resource center. That's where we bring all those community resources to one location. We will have health people from the Housing Authority, register of deeds along with other community groups, the Salvation Army. We are reaching out to food pantries, Goodwill and churches," Bob Mayer with the American Red Cross said.
"That is wonderful because it will help us all get reestablished quicker and be able to get back into the community where we belong," Nezbeth said.
There has been tremendous concern for the Embers Apartments residents, and many have reached out to see what they can donate or do.
Red Cross officials recommend you donate whatever supplies, clothing or food to the local pantries, community churches or charities. This way, the items can be filtered and brought to the MARC session Tuesday.