Dozens displaced by blaze who spent Christmas at motel hope businesses will lend a hand

As Laura Williams waited outside a Super 8 in Northlake where she’s been staying for the holidays, about to embark on an apartment search Wednesday evening, she felt “blessed.”

Last Wednesday, Williams, 60, was returning home from a doctor’s appointment when she saw flames coming from another apartment at her multi-family building at 10315 W. Lyndale Avenue in unincorporated Melrose Park.

“I ran downstairs and grabbed a lady’s cat because it was right by the fire, then I ran up into my apartment and grabbed my money orders and my cat,” said an upbeat but exhausted Williams as she took a cigarette break in the lot of the motel.

Williams, who lives with her cat, Misty, was among 26-six people who were displaced when a kerosene lamp used to warm the home tipped over, causing the fire to erupt, she said.

Misty was hiding and scared the first couple of days after coming to the motel, “like she was in shock like the rest of us,” but has since settled down, said Williams.

Luckily, Williams was not hurt and none of her belongings, including gifts, were damaged.

Four family homes were destroyed and other units were rendered “uninhabitable,” in the blaze, including leaving the building without electricity, said a written statement from the American Red Cross and the Disaster Ministries of the United Church of Christ. Repairs may take weeks, delaying the residents’ return, the statement said.

Meanwhile, faith and humanitarian leaders are asking for businesses to help Williams and everyone else affected, all adults, some of whom have access and functional needs, others who are seniors and most who have issues with transportation, according to the statement.

For now, the Red Cross has been sheltering and feeding them at the Super 8, 2080 N. Mannheim Rd. in Northlake.Their immediate needs include: financial assistance, clothing, transportation, housing, mental health assistance, food resources and gift cards.

“We were blessed by the Red Cross, and then our village stuck with us,” Williams said as she thought about being displaced during this time of year.

A few days ago, the township of Leyden then took over the responsibility of housing the displaced people at the motel, but Williams said they were told they have until Saturday to find other accommodations.

Williams said the township is helping them a lot throughout this process, from providing meals to helping people find a new apartment.

“They’re doing a lot,” she said. “The people from Leyden are taking care of us.”

To help, organizations should contact The Red Cross’s Joy Medrano, 309-509-3708, or joy.medrano@redcross.org.