On Monday, the Cooper Apartments in Fort Worth were consumed by a massive fire that required a large team of over 150 firefighters to tame it. The City of Fort Worth, alongside a plethora of organizations, swung into action to support those affected by the six-alarm blaze – residents and their furry friends alike – ensuring no fatalities occurred and only one minor injury was reported. Reunification services were swiftly put on standby, and emergency shelters opened to accommodate displaced individuals, according to a City of Fort Worth news release.
In the immediate aftermath, support ranged from the provision of temporary shelters facilitated by the Park & Recreation Department to meals for both residents and the responding fire team. Development Services took care of building safety assessments, while the Red Cross and other nonprofits stepped in to address long-term recovery needs. "The City of Fort Worth remains committed to supporting every resident affected by this incident," as was quoted in the City of Fort Worth news release, and all displaced residents were encouraged to reach out for assistance. Meanwhile, Council District 9 and partners are urging the community to rally financial support through a fund established to help those who lost their homes in the fire.
Citizens seeking aid can visit the One Safe Place intake center from noon to 8 p.m. or reach out by phone to various support services like the Red Cross and United Way. Organizations like Trinity Metro provided cooling stations during the emergency, displaying a sense of unity in the face of crisis. Adam D. Powell, the President and CEO of United Way of Tarrant County, told the City of Fort Worth, "The fire at The Cooper deeply impacted hundreds of our neighbors in Near Southside, and our relief fund is one way we can respond quickly and meaningfully when a crisis strikes."
Financial contributions can be made to support the victims through the United Way of Tarrant County's relief fund. Residents can donate online until July 9, with donations to be distributed as gift cards.
