Embers Apartments fire victim identified
SHEBOYGAN – The person who died in Sunday's fire at Embers Apartments in Sheboygan has been identified as 62-year-old Deborah Marsh.
Firefighters discovered the body while fighting the fire in one of the apartments, according to the Sheboygan Fire Department. An autopsy showed the victim died of smoke and soot inhalation.
An investigation is ongoing and the origin of the fire is still unknown, but “does not appear to be suspicious,” according to a news release.
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On Sunday, the Sheboygan Fire Department and the departments of surrounding communities responded to a fire at the apartment complex on South Business Drive. The north half of the complex was destroyed, and the south half was damaged by smoke and heat.
Battalion Chief Keith Risse told The Press that no other residents or firefighters had been injured in the incident, but many people were displaced.
The American Red Cross set up a temporary shelter for displaced residents at Farnsworth Middle School.
Barbara Behling, communications officer for the Red Cross of Wisconsin, said approximately 19 people have been spending nights at the school while many others have found other places to stay but drop in for showers, meals and other resources.
On Tuesday, the Red Cross established a multi-agency relief center at Farnsworth to help the displaced people get back on their feet.
The program brings together a variety of resources, including representatives from the U.S. Postal Service, the Salvation Army and the Sheboygan Housing Authority. Those who are displaced are able to meet with the representatives to learn about replacing legal documents, acquiring clothing, redirecting mail and what housing options exist.
Due to the traumatic nature of the incident, mental health professionals have also been on site at Farnsworth. In addition, healthcare resources have been available to help anyone who needs access to medicine or items such as inhalers to ensure “one tragedy doesn’t lead to another medical emergency.”
“With a one-stop shop like this, people don’t have to retell their story over and over again and relive that trauma,” Behling said. “Many people ran out of the apartment that day in their pajamas, but today we were able to get some processes going.”
With the recent guidance from the multi-agency relief center, Behling said that ideally people will be relocating from Farnsworth within the next day or two.
With school starting back up on Sept. 1, she knows “other arrangements will have to happen soon,” but said that the Red Cross will definitely help anyone still unsure of their options.
For community members hoping to donate or help, Behling said it would make for a much smoother process if people direct clothing donations to places such as St. Vincent de Paul and Mary’s Room, where the displaced people will be going to find supplies free of cost.
For monetary donations, she said people can make online donations through redcross.org/donate/donation. To donate via mail, people can find a check donation form at the previously mentioned website and may indicate “for local disaster relief” or otherwise indicate the donation is for Embers Apartments’ displaced residents on the memo line of a check. Check donations can be sent to: American Red Cross, PO Box 37839, Boone, IA 50037-0839.
Reach Leah Ulatowski at 920-453-5134, Lulatowski@sheboyganpress.com or@Leah_Bekah on Twitter.