Apartment fire sparks aid effort

New London - The night of the Willetts Avenue fire, Heidi Theriault, who lives on nearby Viets Street, called her friend hysterically screaming about a fire.

"I drove 100 miles an hour to get to her house. I thought her house was burning,'' said Jennifer Mitchell, who lives on Colman Street.

Theriault's house was safe, but the two friends were horrified by the scene at the Parkside West apartments.

"It was horrible. Everyone was screaming. There were people hanging out of windows," Mitchell said. "It's one thing to see it on TV, but you don't get the gist of it until you see and smell it."

They decided they needed to do something to help.

The friends jumped on the Internet and posted to Facebook and freecycle.org looking for donations.

Local donations

"Items still needed ... clothes (all sizes) toiletries, linens, some furniture and children's items. Thanks again in advance,'' the posting read on nlfreecycle.

Items have been pouring in, she said Thursday. Downtown property owner Bill Cornish offered use of an empty storefront at 200 Bank St. to help sort out the donations, Mitchell said.

City Councilor John Russell, who owns Homeward Bound, a used-furniture store, donated tables and chairs.

Sheffield Tube sent over five boxes of toothpaste.

The two women said they will spend the weekend organizing the items and plan to open Monday, 9 a.m. to noon, and reopen from 4 to 8 p.m. for tenants of the apartment building to get what they need.

Anyone wishing to make a donation can contact Mitchell at (860) 772-2988 or at mouthjjm1234@yahoo.com.

k.edgecomb@theday.com