News release:

Several families from Midway Elementary, Pacific Middle School, and Mount Rainier High School lost their homes during this morning’s apartment fire in Des Moines. The Red Cross Disaster Services team is already on site and will provide families with financial assistance, temporary housing, and other immediate needs.

“Our hearts go out to the families impacted by the fire,” said Superintendent Susan Enfield. “We are so grateful that no one was seriously injured. We are also thankful for the good work of the American Red Cross and their speedy response in meeting the needs of our students and their families.”

Anyone wishing to provide aid to the families displaced by the fire is encouraged to donate to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 3097, Seattle, WA 98117 and mark the donation as “local disaster services.”

Currently, there are no means in place to manage local donations of clothing or household goods. Financial support to the Red Cross is the best way to help those impacted.