“The fire took nearly everything, but it did not take me or my family. That is the most important thing”

These are the words of Raylond Young, a resident of the 3 Corners Apartments in Spring Branch, TX that burned down in a major fire Tuesday evening. Raylond had left his apartment that evening and went to buy some snacks from the store, but when he returned, he was shocked by what he saw.

“I came back from the store and my brother told me that the apartment was on fire, when I looked up, I saw the flames all around my home,” said Raylond.

Raylond could not believe what he was seeing. The only thing left of the place that he called home was ashes. This wasn’t just a building with four walls to him, it was a warm loving place where he lived with his brother and nephews. He remembers the laughs that he and his nephews shared while they gathered around the living room and played video games. All of it was gone and he was left with only the memories.

“We lost everything,” said Raylond.

Raylond was one of over 300 people who were affected by this fire. He, along with other residents, are now left without a place to call home and only the clothes that they are wearing. The American Red Cross has been offering emergency assistance to the residents that were affected and has also connected them with other organizations that may be able to help them find a new place to live, food and clothes. To Raylond the help that he and his family are receiving means everything.

“It makes me happy that the Red Cross is here to help us so we can start to recover,” said Raylond.

If you would like to help those affected please make a donation to redcross.org or by calling 1-800-Red-Cross.