Fire Displaces Russian Jews

A generous community comes to the rescue after Southfield blaze.

SHARON LUCKERMAN
StaffWriter

A

l Kirkland heard of the Aug.
24 fire on his paging alert sys-
tem. The Red Cross disaster
help specialist and his team arrived at
the Country Court Apartments,
25603 Greenfield near Lincoln in
Southfield, at 10:30 a.m.
The fire was billowing smoke and
16 people needed assistance. Forty
others living in the 16-unit building,
home to many Russian immigrants,
were now homeless.
The fire was caused by incense a
resident used that morning, said
Southfield Fire Chief Robert Ozias.
The fire spread to only two apart-
ments, yet the rest of the units suf-
fered smoke and water damage, the
result of battling the extremely hot
blaze, he said. Firefighters from Royal
Oak and Ferndale also responded to
the fire which was fought until 4 pm.
that afternoon. Eventually, the build-
ing will be repaired, Ozias said.
When the Red Cross team arrived
at the scene, Christine Metiva, vice president of
operations of Matrix Management of Bridgewater
Village across the street, offered them space in
the complex's clubroom. She and her staff provid-
ed Country Court residents with refreshments
and shelter from the heat, Kirkland said. Metiva
also waived fees for temporary housing in vacant
apartments in her complex to any fire victim.
The Red Cross issued checks for $295 to each
displaced resident present for necessities,
Kirkland said. "We didn't need to provide lodg-
ing because of the generosity of Christine and
Matrix Management."
Igor Moldaysky of Sterling Heights, son of
Country Court residents Leonid and Lydia
Moldaysky, said he was impressed at how
well organized the Red Cross was. His
parents, who have moved in with him
temporarily after the fire, arrived here
from Russia eight years ago.
A representative of Jewish Family
Service also appeared at the scene to offer
help, Kirkland said. "Frankly, I was over-
whelmed by the number of people extend-
ing themselves."
Nearby stores, including Kroger, Farmer Ohren
Jack and Meijer, all donated food and
other necessities for the clients, he said.
"The nearby pharmacist at Rite Aid, who spoke
Russian, was also very accommodating."

Two apartments suffered fire

damage at the Country Court

Apartments in Southfield, yet

all had smoke and water dam-

age, forcing all residents from

the building.

Staff Photo by A ngie Raan

Perry Ohren, JFS director of support-
ive communities, said, "We're here to
offer help to anybody who needs assis-
tance — referrals to Yad Ezra, clothing
and financial assistance."
However, no one has called JFS, he
said, and it is difficult to find people
displaced by the fire who are in a vari-
ety of temporary housing units or stay-
ing with relatives.
"If you know someone who needs help, whether
Jewish or not, you can call our number," he said.

In the next day or so, tenants of the building
will be able to view their apartments and assess
damages, Moldaysky said.
But it's not only the loss of belongings that is
disturbing. What most upset his parents,
Moldaysky said, is having to move away from the
little Russian community created in the apart-
ment building. ❑

To contact JFS, call (248) 559-1500.

ZN

9/ 3

2004

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