Money Still Needed to Help Mt. Pleasant Fire Victims

DONATIONS OF clothing and household items for the victims of a five-alarm fire that destroyed a Mount Pleasant apartment building last week poured in at such a rapid clip that they've already exceeded the amount of space available to hold them, D.C. Council member Jim Graham, D-Ward 1, said Tuesday. But he said money is still needed to help displaced residents get back on their feet.

After the blaze, which erupted overnight Thursday at 3145 Mt Pleasant St. NW (pictured at right on Saturday), Graham partnered with the community non-profit group Neighbors Consejo to take in donations for the nearly 200 residents left without homes. Graham said he was blown away by community response.

"It's been overwhelming. I expected a very good response but it has far exceeded all expectations," he said. "Everyone has come forward, and it has eased a lot of this pain. I'm very grateful for that."

Judy Diaz of Neighbors Consejo said the group is still taking small donations of food, toiletries and underwear, but Graham said officials' main task now is helping families find and pay for new places to live.

"We've got enough clothing." Graham said. "But monetary donations would be very much appreciated. [We need money for] rent supplements." The city is working in conjunction with the Columbia Heights/Shaw Family Support Collaborative to help families obtain security deposits for new apartments.

Graham said he thinks it will be some time before the destroyed building is repaired.

"I suspect it's going to be a complex [issue] for a little while," he said. "You're not going to see finished reconstruction until about 18 months. That's assuming that there's not insurance controversy. If the insurance company writes a $20 million check, that will certainly facilitate matters, won't it?"

— CY

» EARLIER: "Donations Requested for Mt. Pleasant Fire Victims" [Free Ride/Express]

Photos by Susan Biddle/The Washington Post and Greg Barber/Express