One Week Later, Displaced Residents Ready To Leave Fire Shelter
MARYSVILLE (CBS13) -- The 10 people who are still homeless following a destructive fire at a historic Marysville building last weekend are spending their last night at an old fire station that has become a fire shelter.
The fire at the Travels Hotel early Saturday morning forced 27 people to flee their homes, most of whom didn't even have time to grab any valuables or sentimental items before the flames destroyed their rooms.
The Red Cross first opened a shelter at St. John Epipocal Church, until a woman complained about bed bugs. No pests were found, but the displaced residents were moved to a new location in Yuba City anyway, according to Red Cross representative Joyce Evans.
An old fire house that is sometimes used as a homeless shelter during winter months provided more privacy -- and shower facilities -- than the church was able to provide.
One of the displaced residents, 64-year-old Robert Kirkbride, said he didn't even have time to save the picture of his daughter, who died years ago, from the raging fire. Without help from the Red Cross, he said he would have been forced out on the streets, but he is now preparing to move into another hotel residence that he can afford on his fixed income.
Of the 27 people who needed help, the Red Cross only has one person left to place, officials said. They plan to find a home for her by Friday morning and will close the fire station shelter after breakfast.
