Red Cross Lends a Hand to the Residents of the Sherman Gardens Apartments Fire

A massive three alarm fire on Thursday evening, July 20^th at Sherman Gardens Apartments, on Milwaukee’s northside, damaged more than 60 units. Thankfully, no one was injured, but the fire displaced about 70 apartment residents. Shelby Watson, Darryl Bailey and Troy Love were among those who lost their homes. The three men lived in the same three-story building at Sherman Gardens and over time had become good friends.

Love said he was watching TV when he noticed smoke coming from the direction of his kitchen. After quickly looking around to see if something was burning, he realized the smoke was pouring in under his apartment door. “Next thing I know, the guys are outside saying, ‘Troy, get out of there, get out of there. The building is on fire.”

Immediately following the fire, the three friends, Love, Watson and Bailey, were staying at a Red Cross shelter at the Northwest Health Center near N. 76th St. and W. Mill Rd. The shelter has since been relocated to Good Samaritan Westside Community Church at 5225 W. Burleigh St., Milwaukee. Red Cross volunteers provided all those impacted by the fire with comfort and care, a  safe place to stay, meals, health and mental health services.

“This is all I have left, the clothes I have on and my cane,” said Watson.  Despite the dire circumstances, the three friends remained remarkably upbeat, joking around with one another as they expressed their gratitude that no one was hurt in the fire.

The Red Cross held a Multi-Agency Resource Center on Tuesday, July 25, from 3-7 p.m. at the Salvation Army on W. Villard Ave. Public and private organizations came together at this “One-Stop Shop” to provide assistance and essentials to those affected.

If anyone has been displaced by this fire and needs assistance, call 1-800-RED CROSS.