Red Cross helping after dozens displaced at Gentilly Ridge Apartments

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Shocked, anxious and distraught are many of the emotions going through the minds of those affected by the five-alarm fire at the Gentilly Ridge Apartment Complex.

“We just know that the people who are impacted, we need to help them now, and that’s what we will do,” said Regional CEO of the American Red Cross Kenneth St. Charles.

With dozens of people in need of a new place to stay after flames ripped through the apartments, Red Cross has immediately begun to step in.

“First, to make sure that they have a place to sleep tonight, sheltering the work at the city to figure out where the temporary housing will be and the Red Cross will run that. And then we’ll provide financial assistance to families based on how many residents were in the apartment,” said St. Charles.

A fire that took nearly three hours to put out, Ronald Renghrope says, though he doesn’t know what is next after possibly losing his apartment, he is blessed to be alive.

“You got your life, you might have your stuff, but you still got your life. But I’m going to make a way for me. You’re saying right now you got to see what they’re going to do,” said Renghrope.

Step by step, residents loaded onto RTA buses headed to Joe Brown Park to learn what the next step for them is.

City officials tell WGNO that over 100 people will need assistance, as one of the three buildings has substantial damage.

“We’ve been able to put some families and women, and children, including pregnant women, into hotels already. We’re going to continue that work. We’ll also have the capability to open this as a shelter this evening, should it be necessary,” said New Orleans Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Director Collin Arnold.

Adding that some of the tenants are formerly homeless, living in the apartments on housing vouchers, but will be taken care of.

“That’s not something they can control. We will work with them until we can get them reestablished. We are consistently working in the region with them every single week to make sure we stay in contact with them,” said Director of Homeless Services Nate Fields.

Second Harvest Food Bank is preparing about 90 meals for impacted residents now sheltering at Joe Brown Park.  

At this time, the public is asked not to bring donations of supplies to either the fire scene or Joe Brown Recreation Center.

Those wishing to help can make financial contributions, which officials say are the most effective way to support impacted families:

• Visit redcross.org/donate → select “My Donation” → then choose “I want to support your local Red Cross.”
• Or mail/drop off a check payable to Southeast Louisiana Red Cross at:
  2626 Canal Street
  New Orleans, LA 70119

All donations will go directly toward this response. For questions about donations, please contact Eric Besson at Eric.Besson@redcross.org

The City of New Orleans, the Red Cross and partners are actively working with displaced residents to assess their immediate needs and evaluate long-term housing solutions.

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