'We're basically homeless now.' Fire victims seek support and donations at Our Lady Mount Carmel Church
Residents now homeless after the deadly apartment building in Belmont. Many seeking refuge and resources at Our Lady Mount Carmel Church.
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A massive fire that ripped through an apartment building on East 187th Street in Belmont has left dozens of families displaced.
"We're basically homeless now, we've lost everything," said Luciano Silva, who lived in the apartment building.
"We're just trying to pick up the pieces to see where we can go, where we can live now."
Silva was inside when the fire broke out.
"The smoke just started pouring through the cracks in the door," Silva described. "We barely had enough time to call the fire department before we had to jump out the fire escape.
All 27 apartments in the five-story building have been placed under a vacant order.
Recovery efforts are underway at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. Donations of nonperishable items, clothing and toiletries are being collected. And hot food is being served for the victims of this fire.
The church is located just steps from where the fire broke out, and members of the parish knew right away they needed to step in and help.
"Just seeing the smoke and comforting families that we know that live in that building," Father Carlos Germosen said. "That's what sparked that we needed to do something."
Neighbors throughout the community are also lending a hand and bringing donations to the church.
"If you have something, you need to give something," local business owner Mamadou Diallo said.
"These people are the backbone of this community, and without them we wouldn't be here. And I don't think it's right to not show up," said Fordham University student Sarah Davey.
The cause of the fire is still being investigated.
