Red Cross, neighbors help Cocoa families displaced by fires

Multiple mobile homes in different neighborhoods a total loss

COCOA, Fla. – Two sets of residents in two Cocoa mobile home communities cannot spend the holidays at home this year. 

The Space Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross is helping families displaced by two fires, which destroyed multiple mobile homes in different neighborhoods Wednesday.

"It breaks our heart," said a woman living on Gatewood Street, who lives next door to the family whose house burned down.

"Our kids are friends with their kids, so we gave them clothes last night for both the son and the daughter that were here," said Brittany Eggert as she described donating jackets and blankets.

Those close to the parents and their two children believe the family is likely at the hospital.

Brevard County Fire Rescue said the father was hospitalized with minor burns and some cuts.

The Red Cross said the double-wide mobile home fire started after the family plugged in their new artificial Christmas tree.

"They didn't realize, perhaps, that the plug overheated and caught fire," Pedro Quinones-Calcano with the Space Coast Chapter, said.

Earlier Wednesday, 3 miles away on Lake Drive, the Red Cross believes the fire that engulfed three mobile homes and damaged a fourth was also electrical.

It's believed that while the fire started in a vacant trailer, something in there was left plugged in.

The Red Cross gave the displaced families prepaid debit cards to pay for necessities.

"We may not be able to replace everything, but the fact that they have somebody in the community that is willing, able and ready to assist them (helps)," Quinones-Calcano said.
 


About the Author:

James joined News 6 in March 2016 as the Brevard County Reporter. His arrival was the realization of a three-year effort to return to the state where his career began. James is from Pittsburgh, PA and graduated from Penn State in 2009 with a degree in Broadcast Journalism.

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