Outreach center open to assist South Toledo fire victims

7/30/2008

A disaster outreach center is now open for residents and business owners seeking low-interest disaster loans to help them get back on their feet after a devastating fire earlier this month at the Hunters Ridge apartment complex in South Toledo.

The center, located at the Lucas County Emergency Services Training Center, 2127 Jefferson Ave., opened yesterday and will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today through Friday. It will also be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, will be closed Sunday, and then will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Aug. 7.

The low-interest disaster loans are available from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, while homeowners and renters are eligible for loans of up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

Businesses of any size and private nonprofit groups can borrow up to $2 million to cover their losses.

The SBA will have customer service representatives on hand to issue loan applications and answer questions. The deadline to file applications for physical property damage is Sept. 22, while the deadline to return economic injury applications is April 23.

Nine buildings in the South Toledo apartment complex were destroyed July 5 by a three-alarm fire that displaced about 200 people. No one was hurt in the blaze, which authorities said caused an estimated $5 million in structural damage.

Fireworks have been blamed for staring the fire that spread rapidly.