Residents, businesses and nonprofit organizations have come together to offer a hand up to those residents who lost their homes and possessions Wednesday in a devastating fire at the Allendale Apartments on Golf Course Road in Benton.
Benton Drive In and God’s Promises, a local nonprofit agency, will host a breakfast fundraiser for those displaced by fire. Locals may come and eat breakfast, which consists of biscuits and gravy, eggs, bacon and a drink, beginning at 7 a.m. Tuesday at the Drive In. Meal costs are $5 each, and proceeds go to benefit victims of the fire. All Allendale residents may come and eat for free.
In addition, the Marshall County Seniors Citizens Center is serving as a drop off point for residents who want to contribute to victims, as well. Clothing, hygiene products and basic necessities may be delivered to the south door of the seniors center from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, at 1713 Golf Course Road in Benton.
Marshall County Caring Needline will also accept donations for fire victims, in addition to providing some food and necessities for victims. Needline is open from 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday at 307 Main St. in Benton.
Some 23 residents in 15 apartment units were displaced as the result of last Wednesday’s fire. Fire crews from Benton Fire Department, Fairdealing-Olive Fire Department, West Marshall Fire Department and Palma-Briensburg Fire Department, as well as Benton Police Department, Marshall County Sheriff’s Department, Red Cross, Marshall County EMS and Marshall County Emergency Management responded about 6:48 a.m. Sept. 20 to the apartments at 1721 Golf Course Road in Benton after a resident — later identified as Karla Jones — discovered her apartment in flames as she returned from clearing outside items in preparation for crews to pressure wash the building. Jones reportedly began knocking on doors to alert neighbors of the fire.
No injuries were reported, and no one was taken to the hospital for related trauma.
Benton Pharmacy responded to help residents secure medicines and oxygen lost in the blaze, and Benton Electric crews worked at the scene to help restore power to the area.
Despite responders’ efforts, the building was a total loss.