Red Cross Reception Centers Offer Help To East Village Explosion Victims
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The American Red Cross of Greater New York continued to offer a hand Saturday for those who were left homeless by the East Village explosion earlier this week.
As WCBS 880's Jim Smith reported Saturday, the Red Cross has set up an emergency reception center at P.S. 63, 121 E. 3rd St., and at the Tompkins Square Library, 331 E. 10th St.
The library reception center was to be open until 8 p.m. Saturday, and has served about 125 people so far, according to Red Cross of Greater New York chief executive officer Josh Lockwood.
Search Continues For 2 Missing Men In Rubble From East Village Explosion
"We sit down with each individual and we determine their and their families' needs," Lockwood said.
The reception centers connect displaced residents with temporary housing, replacement clothing, and financial assistance.
"Our job at the American Red Cross is to help through those first few days of a trauma like this so mentally, spiritually, financially we're here to help you," Lockwood said.
Lockwood said the center is not just for the people living in the now-destroyed buildings on Second Avenue, but also for those whose apartments were evacuated.
The explosion on Thursday afternoon originated in a building at 121 Second Ave., near 7th Street. That building, along with neighboring 119 and 123 Second Ave., was completely destroyed.
A search was under way Saturday morning for two missing men.
Bowling alley worker Nicholas Figueroa, 23, was on a date at Sushi Park at the time of the explosion, which originated in the 121 building. The other missing man -- Moises Locon, 26 -- was a busboy of the restaurant.
Twenty-two people were also injured, four critically, after the powerful blast and fire sent flames soaring and debris flying Thursday afternoon.
