Red Cross Sets Up Shelter for Displaced; Firefighters Still Fight Blaze

At 10 p.m. Thursday, firefighters continued to knock down a fire that broke out in the early afternoon.

Power is still out, and a section of Main Street is still closed in the immediate vicinity of the fire. The area is expected to be an active fire scene until Friday morning, officials said.

Meanwhile, nearly 50 residents are now at the Port Washington Senior Center in Manorhaven, who have been "displaced by the fire directly and from adjoining buildings due to smoke and related hazards," said Rob Seiden, who heads up the Port Washington Relief Team.

"The Nassau Red Cross is managing the community shelter at the Port Washington Senior Center with the help of the Town of North Hempstead," he added.

Councilwoman Dina De Giorgio was at the senior center "assisting and helping to coordinate as well as volunteer Vivian Moy of the Port Washington Relief Team, who arranged for clothes and supplies to be donated since the families had virtually no basics or clean clothes due to the emergency nature of their evacuation."

Port Washington School Board President Karen Sloan was also at the center, "dropping necessities as well as helping to coordinate the school district efforts in arranging for social workers for the students tomorrow to deal with the trauma," Seiden said. 

In addition, Mario Martinez of the Community Action Counsel has been helping at the center, Seiden said.

On Thursday nigh, the center had all of the supplies it needed for the moment. Volunteers had already brought scores of blankets, clothes and towels, while the Red Cross supplied cots.

But future needs will be address on Friday, including establishing a fund for monetary donations through St. Peter of Alcantara, where many of the displaced are parishioners, Seiden said. Councilwoman De Giorgio is assisting to set up the fund, Seiden noted.

More supplies may be needed on Friday. Patch will provide an update.