Cooperative effort helps 37 people, nine dogs, one cat displaced by fire in Annapolis

The two-alarm fire that tore through an apartment building on Spa Road on Thursday afternoon left 37 people displaced, the Annapolis Fire Department said.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated, and an estimate for the cost of the damage wasn’t available Friday afternoon. Of the 37 people who were displaced by the fire, 14 are being helped by the American Red Cross.

Office of Emergency Management Director Kevin Simmons said the city coordinated a bus to bring residents to the Pip Moyer Recreation Center, where they worked together with the county’s Crisis Response Team to help the people who escaped the fire.

“It’s a collaboration and cooperation, with many, many different agencies working in tune,” he said.

He said they went on a diaper run to get provisions for a newborn baby who was displaced. They also got shoes for a person who didn’t have any on after the fire. Those who needed it were provided shelter at a nearby hotel.