Relief Needed For Families Displaced By Sterling Apartment Fire

STERLING, VA — Residents left homeless after last Friday’s Chase Heritage Apartments fire in Sterling are getting some relief. New Virginia Majority organizer, Hannah Recht, has created a GoFundMe fundraiser to help the displaced apartment residents.

The April 30 fire destroyed the homes of 12 families, who also lost all of their belongings. Many of the residents are low-wage workers without savings to use as a safety net.

Funds raised from the GoFundMe campaign will be distributed evenly among the 12 families through direct cash transfers or money orders.

“Each family will be able to use the funds to fit their needs, be it for food, clothing, furniture or temporary shelter,” the GoFundMe campaign says.

The campaign already reached its original fundraising goal of $5,000. But the families would benefit from more funds after losing so much in the fire. With a new goal of $10,000, each family would receive $832 to help meet their immediate needs. The families will then decide together when to withdraw funds raised.

The families hope to use the funds for food, clothing, furniture, or temporary shelter.

Around 10:15 a.m. last Friday, fire and rescue units from several stations across Loudoun County and neighboring Fairfax County were dispatched to the Chase Heritage Apartments for a reported structure fire. The Loudoun County Communications Center received a 911 call reporting a fire and smoke on the third floor of the apartment building.

Along with one resident, three Loudoun County Sheriff's Office deputies who assisted in evacuating residents were treated at local area hospitals for minor smoke inhalation.

To help the residents left homeless from the apartment fire, visit the GoFundMe site.

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