Sandi Lillehaugen, Director of Human Resources and Title IX Coordinator/Procurement at Lake Region State College released a statement on the afternoon of Oct. 1, “All residents displaced by the Great Northern apartment fire have been able to return to the building. As a result, the Red Cross is no longer operating a shelter at LRSC.”
Residents evacuated after a fire took place in the early morning hours of Sept. 29 in a second-floor apartment of the three-story building. Although it was largely contained to that unit, all residents were temporarily housed in the LRSC gymnasium. They returned within only a couple of days; occupants of the second-floor apartment where the fire originated have been temporarily relocated to other units in the building.
“The Red Cross staff asked that we share their appreciation for everything LRSC did to support the residents and help accommodate the shelter on campus,” Lillehaugen said. “Thank you to everyone who helped make our guests feel welcome and supported during their time at LRSC.”
Kimberly Vosseteig, executive director for the American Red Cross throughout the Red River Valley, called the Devils Lake Journal from Fargo on Thursday, Oct. 1 and said the Red Cross was grateful that LRSC stepped in to assist when needed and added that Gate City Bank of Devils Lake gave a donation to help with food for those who were displaced by the fire in the Great Northern Apartments, owned by MetroPlains Management. Vosseteig stated that she had worked with the people of Devils Lake in the past and hoped for perhaps a more formal partnership “someday.”