Red Cross seeking help to aid Ammon fire victims
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AMMON — The American Red Cross Idaho Falls office is seeking the public’s help in locating a new residence for a family displaced by the condo fire in Ammon on Friday, Sept. 25.
No lives were lost in the fire, but three families were affected and two were displaced by it, Red Cross Disaster Program Manager Rusty Devereaux said.
The Red Cross Disaster Action Team of Red Cross volunteers is working with the families to assist with their needs and them build recovery plans. Anyone wishing to help the fire victims can contact Devereaux at the Red Cross.
Additionally, a GoFundMe account has been set up to help at least one of the families. Tia and Carlos Battles and their two daughters were displaced by the condo fire, according to the fundraising page.
The families affected by the blaze were unavailable for comment throughout this week.
Ammon Fire Department Assistant Chief Keith Banda said the cause of the last Friday’s fire is still under investigation.
But officials say it was a very large residential fire. Banda observed that upon arrival the fire had engulfed the basement, ground level, and attic area of the home at 1480 Falcon Drive. The home was part of six residences in the condo building — two adjacent residences were damaged by fire, and the others sustained water damage. Several of the units were vacant.
“This was the biggest fire most of our guys will see,” Banda said.
Ammon firefighters arrived on the scene around 12:25 a.m. Officials estimate the fire began at about midnight. Due to the large-scale nature of the fire and its presence in the middle of a residential complex, firefighters from Ucon, Ammon, Idaho Falls, Shelley and Jefferson County also were called in. About 30 firefighters were at the scene.
Other than the burned units and water damage throughout the building the structure was saved. Banda believes the condition of the building is still good enough for it to be rehabilitated.
Photos courtesy Britney Woolf. Video courtesy Stephan Rockefeller.