How To Help Chesapeake Beach Fire Victims

CHESAPEAKE BEACH, MD — Fund drives and donation drives are in the works to help those who lost family members or their homes in a devastating Chesapeake Beach multi-unit townhome fire. A woman and her granddaughter died in the blaze, while four firefighters were injured as the structure collapsed.

Wendy Welch and her granddaughter, Stephani Link, couldn't get out of their burning home; witnesses said the flames moved quickly as residents went door to door to evacuate others. Wendy Welch's daughter, Kathleen Link, told NBC Washington that her mother and niece were found "together with their arms around each other."

The firefighters were treated at area hospitals and released. About 17 people have been displaced and are being helped by the Red Cross, WBAL reports. Damage is estimated to be at $1 million.

"Keeping the Chesapeake Beach community in our thoughts tonight after this terrible fire," Gov. Larry Hogan said Wednesday. "Our prayers are with the loved ones of the victims, and we wish full and speedy recoveries for the first responders who were injured."

Calvert County has shared items needed and the agencies involved in coordinating donation efforts.

Non-Monetary Donations:
Water, shelf stable food, personal care items, etc. accepted for the next two weeks
Collection center: Northeast Community Center
4075 Gordon Stinnett Ave., Chesapeake Beach, MD 20732
Phone: 410-257-2554
Hours of Operation: Sunday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-10 p.m. daily; Friday and Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-11 p.m. daily

Household items and other donations will be handled by Southern Maryland Tri-County Community Action Committee once housing is secured for the victims.

Monetary Donations
United Way of Calvert County urges you to donate online.

You can text to give by texting to 91999 with the message “Chesbeachfund” (all one word); a link will appear for donating.

For donations by check, include “Chesapeake Beach Fire Relief Fund” in the memo and mail to:
P.O. Box 560, 530 Main St., Prince Frederick, MD 20678

Chesapeake Beach Town Hall: Drop off gift cards and donations for United Way of Calvert County
8200 Bayside Road Chesapeake Beach, MD 20732. Phone: 410-257-2230

Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; after-hours donations can be dropped off in the secure drop box.