Cause of Five-Alarm Orange Blaze Still Unknown

The cause of a five-alarm fire Sunday at 399 Lincoln Ave. in Orange that displaced at least 100 people still is not known, according to Orange officials. The fire started shortly before 8 a.m. and firefighters battled the blaze for more than 10 hours.

Officials said American Red Cross finished rendering services to residents Wednesday at Orange High School's gym. The gym was converted into a temporary shelter for those unable to find housing.

Orange officials said residents are not yet allowed back into the 95-unit apartment building, as the building's owner, Richard Santos, awaits clearance from the insurance company.

The owner has agreed, though, to make copies of any personal identification information he has on file (i.e. birth certificates and passports).

A representative of Orange Mayor Eldridge Hawkins Jr. said the city has been in contact with Santos and said residents will have their security deposit and pro-rated rent by early next week.

The Orange Office of Vital Statistics is issuing birth certificates, free of charge, to Orange residents impacted by the fire.

The city also is compiling a list of vacancies in and around the area and its senior service department is working to place senior residents in homes.

Derrick Brown, Orange Fire Department community relations coordinator, said thanks to an overwhelming amount of donations, no more clothes are needed at this time and can't be accepted.

"What the families could really use are gift cards," he said.

He suggested that those who wish to give, should donate gift cards to local supermarkets, such as Pathmark and Bravo, or general merchandise stores, such as Target and Kmart. Those donations can be dropped off at the Orange Fire Department, 419 Central Ave., in an envelope addressed to Brown.

In terms of household goods, Brown said he is busy collecting donated furniture, and he welcomes drop-offs of cutlery, kitchen goods and towels. He can't accept used mattresses of any kind.

The American Red Cross and the Salvation Army have provided debit cards and have helped find housing for many of the fire victims. Earlier this week, Orange Fire Department Chief Robert Manginelli encouraged the public to help by donating money to those organizations through their websites.

Trish Pellegrini, of the Salvation Army, said donations of non-perishable foods also are encouraged. Those can be dropped off at the East Orange unit of the Salvation Army, 403 Main st.

Brown is planning a Saturday gathering that will give families a chance to pick up grocery and gift cards and to select the donated household goods they need.