Baltimore Gas Explosion: How To Help & Other Resources
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Looking for a way to help displaced residents and crews at the scene of a fatal gas explosion in northwest Baltimore?
Two people, 20-year-old Joseph Graham and 61-year-old Lonnie Herriott, were killed and seven others were injured in the explosion along Labyrinth Road at Reisterstown Road and Brookhill Road just before 10 a.m.
Here's how to help the residents of Labyrinth Road:
MAKING DONATIONS
The American Red Cross has set up a station to collect donations of food and other essential items in the parking lot of Applebee's in Reisterstown Road Plaza in the 6500 block of Reisterstown Road.
At this time they are no longer accepting clothing donations.
What's Needed: new socks, toiletries, tissue, paper towels, soap and hand sanitizer. Ice, drinks, water, perishable food items must be wrapped and sealed in original packaging.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Red Cross said there are numerous restrictions in place regarding what can be donated, but monetary donations can be made here.
The Associated Labyrinth Road Rebuilding Fund has also been set up to collect financial donations. To learn more, click here.
The Empowerment Temple AME has also set up a fund to help pay for the victims' funeral expenses. You can contribute online at baltimorestrong.org. Choose "Labyrinth Rd Victim Fund" as the specific fund for your donation.
Nonprofits CMLS Breaking the Chains Ministry and Rooted Love are working to put together a list of specific items the families impacted by the explosion need. Murray will post that list on her Facebook page.
RELATED COVERAGE:
- 'It Was Like A Bomb Went Off' | Residents Say Baltimore Gas Explosion Jolted Their Homes
- 'I Just Want To Offer My Prayers' | City, State Officials Offer Support As First Responders Search For Survivors At NW Baltimore Explosion Site
- Homes Blocks Away From Baltimore Gas Explosion Sustain Damage
- PHOTOS: NW Baltimore Gas Explosion
RESOURCES FOR LABYRINTH ROAD RESIDENTS
Residents displaced by the blast can visit the American Red Cross station behind the Applebee's restaurant. They can also call 410-504-1669.
The Red Cross set up a staging area in the parking lot near the Applebee's restaurant to connect with area residents to determine their needs, ranging from housing to mental health counseling.
Affected residents can also pick up donated items at the Applebee's parking lot; please enter the lot via Reisterstown Road and Clarks Lane. The distribution site is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Suburban Orthodox Congregation will have volunteers helping residents to clean up houses and help with minor home improvements.
Anyone with insurance questions or issues as a result of damage from the explosion, feel contact the Maryland Insurance Commission at (800) 492-6116. Here is a FAQ that may help with the claims process.
BGE
1-877-778-7798 or 1-800-685-0123.
Baltimore City Housing Inspections
Call 311 to schedule an interior inspection
CASA of Maryland
(410) 732-2694
Councilman Yitzy Schleifer
410-396-4819
yitzy@baltimorecity.gov district5@baltimorecity.gov
Council President Brandon Scott
410-396-4804
councilpresident@baltimorecity.gov
Mayor Jack Young
410-396-4900
mayor@baltimorecity.gov
Onsite Counseling and Trauma Assistance
The Baltimore Trauma Response Team
- Dr. Andre Humphrey, 443-418-8898
- Apostle Clarence Hooper Sr., 410-622-0837
Home Repair Assistance:
- Renters - contact Property Owner or Management Company or Renter's Insurance
- Homeowners contact Home Owner's Insurance
If denied see options below:- Housing Upgrades to Benefit Seniors (HUBS) 443-470-9871
- repair programs (loans, and a small amount of possible grant funding)
- LIGHT Program 410-396-3023
- Home repair programs (loans, and a small amount of possible grant funding
- CHAI, Comprehensive Housing Assistance, Inc. (410) 500-5300
- Home Improvement Loan: provides $10,000 to homeowners who have lived in the same home in the following Baltimore City neighborhoods for two or more years: Glen, Fallstaff, Cheswolde, Cross Country and Mt. Washington.
- Energy Savings Loan: provides loans for home renovations that save energy, lower utility bills to keep housing affordable. This loan is available to homeowners in the Baltimore City neighborhoods of Glen, Fallstaff, Cheswolde, Cross Country and Mt. Washington and in these ZIP Codes in the County: 21208, 21209, 21117, 21133, and 21136.
- Housing Upgrades to Benefit Seniors (HUBS) 443-470-9871
Food Pantries
CHAI, Fallstaff Improvement Association, CASA of MD and Fallstaff Elementary school in partnership with Maryland Food Bank and the City of Baltimore will host a food distribution of grocery boxes filled with shelf-stable items (non-Kosher) and boxes of fresh produce on Thursday, August 13 at Fallstaff EMS.
The distribution will begin at 9:30 a.m. (if the truck arrives late, the distribution will begin as soon as we can get the truck unloaded and the boxes set up).
Kosher Food: Jewish Community Services 410-466-9200
MAKE DONATION DIRECTLY TO VICTIMS' FAMILIES
The family of Joseph Graham, one of the victims, has set up a GoFundMe page. To learn more, click here.
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