Aurora community rallies to help fire victims

Community members rallied together Sunday in Aurora after a devastating apartment fire killed six residents and left as many as 30 others homeless.

The Bautista Emanuel church, down the block at 742 Claim St., served as a gathering place for families displaced by the fire and worried community members hoping to help.

Ada Carrillo, a church member and the community service coordinator, said she had been at Bautista Emanuel since 8 a.m. organizing donations that started flowing in almost immediately.

“From something bad comes something good,” Carrillo said. “The way people come together, it's been amazing. It just warms my heart.”

The church received bags and bags of clothes Carrillo and other church members spread out for fire victims to go through. Some people also brought food to share.

As those whose apartments were destroyed by fire struggle to put their lives back together, Bautista Emanuel will continue to accept donations at any time, but specifically requests shoes and personal items; they received plenty of clothes on Sunday.

The American Red Cross of Greater Chicago also was at the scene Sunday providing food, clothing, medicine and other necessities for residents as well as firefighters battling the blaze.

A Red Cross spokeswoman said the organization was arranging temporary housing for those without relatives in the area. The spokeswoman said the organization is not taking donations specifically for victims of Sunday's fire, but is always in need of funding to provide emergency relief.

Anyone looking to donate can either call (312) 729-6120 or give online at american.redcross.org/chicago