CHICAGO RIDGE, IL — Several GoFundMe campaigns have been created for the tenants of an apartment building ravaged by fire over the weekend in Chicago Ridge. While no injuries were reported, 24 units were destroyed with most residents escaping with just their wallets, purses, cell phones and the clothes on their backs.

The extra-alarm blaze was called in a few minutes after 5 p.m. Saturday in the 10500 block of Brooks Lane adjacent to I-294. The stubborn fire burned for over four hours. Firefighters from around the area assisted the Chicago Ridge Fire Department in fighting the blaze. The cause is still under investigation.

>>> Rebuilding Begins For Victims Of Chicago Ridge Apartment Fire

The Chicago Ridge Lions Club is facilitating relief efforts and is asking for donations of gift cards for grocery stores, big box stores, gas, restaurants and drug stores. Through Wednesday, gift cards can be dropped off at the EMA Center, 10655 S. Oak Ave., through Wednesday, Jan. 29. After Wednesday, drop off gift cards at Chicago Ridge Village Hall, 10455 S. Ridgeland Ave.

Some displaced tenants have had GoFundMe campaigns created for them by friends, family members and colleagues, who are trying to raise funds for security deposits or to buy a few articles of clothing.

Streetwise Vendor Wiped Out

Ewoynne Warren, is a dedicated vendor for StreetWise, a weekly news publication that gives homeless individuals a chance to regain person dignity and earn an income by selling a newspaper.

Known for his charisma and kindness, Warren travels 30 miles a day from Chicago Ridge to the North Shore where he sells his papers, usually in front of The Grand in Winnetka. Warren lost all his possessions in Saturday’s fire, including money that he had saved up.

The friends who set up his online fundraiser are trying to help Warren raise funds so he can start replacing some of the possessions he lost and money toward a security deposit for a new place.

>>> Donate to Support Ewyonne Warren after devastating apartment fire

Mom Loses Everything In Fire

Sandra Pfinsten worked tirelessly to secure a place she could call home. In mid-July 2024, her hard work finally paid off when she moved into her new apartment in Chicago Ridge, her daughter, Crystal Pfingsten writes. Pfingsten has just stepped out of her apartment for a half hour. When she returned, her entire building was on fire.

“Sandra lost everything in the fire, from cherished family heirlooms to irreplaceable childhood photos,” her daughter said. “She is now left with nothing but the clothes on her back. We are reaching out to our community and beyond for support in helping her rebuild her life.”

Any donations, no matter how small, would mean the world to us. Your generosity will help Sandra replace essential items, find temporary housing, and start anew. We truly appreciate any assistance you can offer.

>>> Donate to Help Sandra Pfingston Rebuild After Apartment Fire

Co-Workers Rally Around Administrative Assistant

Co-workers from Loyola University’s computer sciences department are rallying around their department’s administrative assistant and her mother, who were displaced in Saturday’s fire. Tori and her mother are both staying with relatives.

While both women are physically fine, they are traumatized by this unexpected life-altering event.

“Funds collected here will help Tori deal with urgent expenses, find new housing, and begin furnishing it,” colleagues said.

>>> Help Tori Rebuild After Devastating Fire

Childhood Friend Steps In To Help Pal

The only possessions Brandon Gray is left with after a fire gutted his apartment over the weekend are his phone, car and the clothes he had on the day of the fire. Thankfully, he was away when the fire started.

“[Brandon] had just renewed his lease, so renter’s insurance was in [a] probation period,” his childhood friend, Justin Jeffries said on GoFundMe. “We are in low hopes that it will be much help. He works remotely from his laptop, which was also destroyed, and his ongoing projects were set back.”

His friends are raising money to help Gray replace his work laptop, clothes, household items and to help him cover expenses while they help their friend find a new living arrangement.

>>> Help Brandon Gray Rebuild after Devastating Home Fire

Children Ask For Help For Mom

Natalie Cosentino and hr brother, Josh Cosentino, have started a GoFundMe for their mother, Bonny Cosentino, who fled her apartment with her purse and the clothes she was wearing.

They are asking for some help to get their mother back on her feet.

“On top of the irreplaceable items, we would like to help her get a start on replacing clothing, toiletries, hygiene products, dishes, food, furniture etc.,” her daughter writes. “Although she has a place to stay with us right now, she also did not have renters insurance, so a head start on a security deposit is also something this will go towards.”

>>> Rebuild Mom’s Life: Apartment Fire Tragedy