EAST VILLAGE — The Red Cross has set up an emergency reception at P.S. 63 to offer food, shelter and emotional support for residents affected by a massive explosion that consumed nearly four buildings in the East Village Thursday afternoon.
The nonprofit is expecting to feed at least 100 people at its pop-up shelter in the elementary school at 121 E. 3rd St. on Thursday night — as more and more residents trickle in for help and shelter, said a spokeswoman for the Red Cross.
“This is all happening in real time, so in this kind of circumstance, we judge hour by hour what their needs are and how we can help them,” said Josh Lockwood, regional CEO of the American Red Cross who was on site on Thursday.
“There are a lot of people at the scene, standing outside, asking questions,” Lockwood said. “So we’re waiting and we’ll be here through the night to take them in.”
The organization is taking people from all four buildings affected by the fire, including 121 Second Ave., 123 Second Ave., 125 Second Ave. and 119 Second Ave., which is made up of about 49 units, Lockwood said.
Those residents can register to get “food, mental health support, temporary housing, new clothing and financial assistance, if they need it,” Lockwood said.
Bonnie Ramon, 43, an out-of-work graphic designer who lived on the fifth floor of 125 2nd Ave., was laid off a month ago. Her laptop and everything she needs to do freelance work is in the apartment and she can't get it
"That's really what I'm concerned about. I don't have money to move someplace else," Ramon said. "We're all trying to just figure out where we're going to stay and what's going to happen and how we're going to get all of our things and how we're going to move on."
If people need a place to stay tonight, Red Cross will place them in a nearby hotel, Lockwood said.
Those who want to help: Red Cross is still looking for translators to volunteer to talk to victims, Lockwood said.
“There’s been some wonderful folks from the community who have come out and asked if they can help,” he said. “Just walking down the street in a Red Cross jacket, you see the best of New York.”
