Chestnut Hill Fire: Red Cross Sets Up Help Center For Displaced

NEWTON, MA — The hundreds of people who live in the Towers of Chestnut Hill, a luxury condo complex behind the Chestnut Hill Mall, were displaced Monday night after a fire tore through an apartment in one of the towers yesterday morning. But by Tuesday night, North Tower residents were permitted to go back home. The South Tower remained evacuated, and still no word on when folks might be able to return.

Lt. Michal Bianchi a spokesperson for the Fire Department said Eversource, the fire department, government officials and the building managers were set to have a conference call on the situation Tuesday afternoon.

"We're hoping to get good news," said Bianchi.

But it wasn't until after 8 p.m. that the power is on and the fire suppression systems became fully operational and the city announced North Tower residents could return. The mayor's office said anyone seeking information about the South Tower should check the city's website after 10 a.m. Wednesday.

In the meantime, Red Cross has set up an informational phone number and eight volunteers have set up in Newton Fire's headquarters to field questions and help anyone who was affected by the fire from 7 a.m. til 8 p.m.

Although the two towers hold about 600 residents, not one requested help with lodging Monday night, according to Red Cross Spokesperson Jeff Hall.

"Because everybody was able to find their own way with either friends and families," he said.

Still, with a new day, the Red Cross is working to help coordinate information and help residents find out when they might be able to return to their homes.

"Floors 1-8 won't likely be able to return today, so we're working with the fire department to help them and help the floors above the eighth figure out when they can get back in," said Hall.

Volunteers are doing case work with clients, talking with them finding out what floor they were on and trying to figure out what kind of assistance they need.

"We'll give them some financial assistance to get through the next few days, and get them in touch with programs to help them resettle and work to help identify space they could move into in the area," said Hall. "Basically everything they own is up in those apartments."

Because the Red Cross is a nonprofit org, they raise money through fundraising through donors that money goes to support the operations — from helping armed forces to vaccination programs in Africa. The disaster assistance is funded through people who donate.

"We'll be there today and if the need be tomorrow," said Hall who encouraged anyone impacted to call them.

For the residents of 250 Hammond Pond Pkwy a hotline has been set up at 617-796-1800 for any questions about the fire or the recovery. A Resident’s Assistance Center is also open at Fire Head Quarters at 1164 Centre St. to assist in the coordination of recovery efforts.

Catch up here:

Hundreds Displaced After Chestnut Hill Fire

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).