VIDEO/PHOTO: Racine firefighters battled a fire at an apartment building on Washington Avenue just east of Taylor Avenue on Monday, Dec. 18.
The building, which caters to seniors and others on restricted incomes, was evacuated safely.
The American Red Cross set up a shelter for residents at Grace Church in Racine. Food and other essentials will be provided.
They said by the time the fire was put out, more than two dozen people were without homes. There are an estimated 27 people displaced across 25 units.
Sid Pinabella lives down the street with her husband.
"I turned my head. there was black smoke," Pinabella said. "I was scared to death."She said she and her husband have a friend who lives in the apartment building.
"As far as I know, he’s doing okay," Pinabella said. "He’s shaken up because he was working from home for the day."