Townsend Launching Fire Recovery Effort for 21 Families

Townsend Launching Fire Recovery Effort for 21 Families

Townsend Emergency Management Agency

Press release for immediate release: 2/6/2019

On Monday, February 4th, 2019, the town of Townsend experienced a devastating fire on 48 Fitchburg Road displacing 21 families.  St. John’s Church in Townsend is set up as a command center. Victims of the fire can access three meals a day. The Townsend Ecumenical Outreach (TEO) is seeking 1, 2, 3 bedroom apartments in Townsend, Ashby, Pepperell, Luneburg, Leominster, Milford, Nashua, and Lowell to place families.

Townsend Emergency Management Agency is working in collaboration with the Townsend Ecumenical Organization to streamline the donation process. Through Friday all in person donations of products, cash, checks and gift cards can be made at St. Johns.  Checks should be made out to Townsend Ecumenical Outreach – Fire Relief. United Way of North Central Massachusetts has set up the only official online giving page which can be accessed at this link. https://secure.qgiv.com/for/tffr 

Even before this fund was set up we had an amazing donation from Sterilite for $25,000.00 to get the recovery started and they are continuing to ask how they can support the effort.  Their continual commitment to Townsend is nothing short of amazing.

Kym Craven, TEMA volunteer and the command post coordinator shared that there has been a tremendous outpouring of help. “The displaced families would like to extend their gratitude to the Townsend Community for how they have been embraced,” she shared, “the First Responder Community appreciates the out pouring of support as well.”   Community volunteers are staffing a Fire Recover Hotline from 7AM-9PM this week at 978-597-2874.

If there are community groups or businesses wanting to donate the best way to do this is to call. The loss of property is not covered by insurance as these families were renters.  The recovery effort is focused on raising funds to establish 21 households. This is not a sprint, it is a marathon, our community needs to support these families for the months to come.

Shirley Coit, Townsend Emergency Management Director has expressed her gratitude to the community and all the volunteers that have stepped forward. “Without this team effort the provision of this support would not be possible.

For questions about the recovery effort, call 978-597-2874 for fire specific questions contact Chief Mark Boynton, 978-597-8150,mboynton@townsendpd.org.