‘It was our home’: Blue Springs residents rebuilding after being displaced by apartment fire
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. (KCTV) - Rebuilding isn’t easy, but residents at the Lodge Apartments said they are doing the best they can after Tuesday night’s fire.
The Blue Springs Fire Department received a call before 6:30 p.m. Tuesday night with reports of heavy smoke and fire at the back of the building. All 14 people inside were safely evacuated and there are no reported injuries.
“I don’t think my MacBook is salvageable but I had all my Bible collection all safe. I can keep those dry,” said displaced resident Ben Velasco.
Velasco is one of over a dozen residents who are picking up the pieces.
“More than anything, it’s just really humbling,” he said.
Velasco was not home at the time of the fire, but returned to the apartment on Wednesday to salvage what he could of his belongings. He said most of them are water damaged, but still intact.
Other residents were left emotional looking at what’s left behind of the building.
“It was our home. It’s heartbreaking,” said displaced resident Savannah Hambleton.
Hambleton was woken up by a neighbor who banged on her door Tuesday night. When she woke up, she saw the building she and her boyfriend called home for the last five years up in flames.
“There was a lot of people that were making sure everybody got out, which I’m thankful for. There was some guy, he said he was in one of these side buildings, but he made sure everybody was out,” said Hambleton.
From the ashes, one soon-to-be married couple was able to save something very special.
“We’re getting married this weekend and I wrote letters to my future husband from the last like 10 years like waiting for the right person,” said fiancee of displaced resident Allison Dismore.
She found that right person in Ben.
“We thought the letters were burnt up in the fire but we found them and they’re still in the box and so we’re gonna have them at the wedding still so, and we found the wedding rings, too,” said Dismore.
Volunteers are collecting the essentials like clothing, food, and hygiene products that residents will need while they are on the move.
“It’s horrifying. I have two little kids and I cannot imagine waking up in the middle of the night, having to get out, all the things you lose. You know, the birth certificates, the pictures, and the toys and the things that you can’t replace even with donations,” said Many Parts, One Body president Alex Duvall.
The local groups started checking in with residents on Tuesday night. They are also giving out Hy-Vee gift cards to help them with groceries once they get settled.
“I just want them to know that the city of Blue Springs and our foundations are here with them and they’re our neighbors. We all live in this community together and we’re here to help each other and without the of Blue Springs and the neighbors who have reached out, this wouldn’t be possible,” said Feeding for a Cause founder Lawrence DryWall.
Volunteers will be in the parking lot of the City Union Mission Thrift store at 1102 NW Woods Chapel Rd. in Blue Springs on Thursday and Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. collecting items.
People who can’t donate in person can also donate online. Any monetary donations made over the next 72 hours will be used to purchase coats, jackets, food, and gift cards for those impacted by the fire.
The Blue Springs Fire Department said the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
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