NRI Pulse Staff Report
Atlanta, GA: Twenty-eight families, most of them of Indian origin, were displaced by a Saturday evening fire at the Dunwoody Station Apartments near Peachtree Dunwoody Road, according to media reports.
Authorities said the fire broke out at about 8:20 p.m. The blaze brought under control in about an hour,Sandy Springs fire department Deputy Chief Mark Duke told AJC, but crews remained on scene for several hours.
AJC quoted Red Cross spokeswoman Sherry Nicholson as saying that a total of 65 people asked the organization for help and received “emergency lodging, food, clothing, emotional support, toiletries, replacement medications and other essentials.”
A statement released by Telugu Association of Metro Atlanta said over 80% of the affected families were Indian, mostly Telugu.
“The damage is extensive and the cause of the fire is currently being investigated. Everyone living in the complex has been evacuated safely; although, they have lost all of their belongings including passports, visa documents, valuables etc.,” the statement said.
“TAMA EC and Board members are working with the victims in identifying the issues and are also in contact with the Consulate General staff to get passports documents replaced for the families. The Indian Consulate in Atlanta assured their full cooperation in replacing the lost passports,” the statement said.
“Though people have lost all of their belongings, It’s very fortunate that everybody is safe and fully accounted for, in such a massive blaze. With the help of TAMA volunteers, TAMA team, is providing families with emotional support as well,” the statement added.
Those wishing to support the affected families with donations may do so by visiting the TAMA page at: www.tama.org/payments (In the Donations for TAMA section at the bottom of the page, enter description and make the donation).
If you would like to mail a check, please send it to the following address:
Telugu Association of Metro Atlanta
5490 McGinnis Ferry Rd Suite 217
Alpharetta GA 30005
TAMA team members can be contacted at (404) 946-TAMA (8262) or by email at info@tama.org .