'Everybody is pitching in': How to help those impacted by the explosion in London's Old East
Financial donations, household items, and clothing are being collected for those impacted by the blast
Community support is pouring in for those impacted by an explosion in east London overnight.
A number of different organizations are accepting donations for those whose homes were destroyed late Wednesday evening, after a vehicle drove into a home on Woodman Avenue and set off an explosion and large fire.
Officials say the home that exploded was reduced to rubble and at least seven others have significant damage. Roughly 100 homes on Quebec Street, Woodman Avenue and Charlotte Street, between Lorne Avenue and Dundas Street, have been evacuated. The area remains cordoned off for investigation.
Libro Credit Union is taking financial donations at all of its London locations, and has kick-started the fund with $10,000. They say donations are going into an Old East Village Community Association account, and the association will administer the funds.
The Western Fair District has said it will match Libro's $10,000 donation, and the London Community Foundation says its pitching in another $5,000.
Our hearts go out to those affected by the explosion last night in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OEVLdn?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OEVLdn</a>. We will be matching <a href="https://twitter.com/LibroLondon?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LibroLondon</a> 's generous donation of $10,000. We are also accepting non-monetary donations <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsCentreWFD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SportsCentreWFD</a> located at 865 Florence Street. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OEVStrong?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OEVStrong</a> ❤️<a href="https://twitter.com/OEVHub?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OEVHub</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/oevca?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@oevca</a> <a href="https://t.co/YmtBnoMd0N">https://t.co/YmtBnoMd0N</a> <a href="https://t.co/q8SDTUHoPZ">pic.twitter.com/q8SDTUHoPZ</a>
—@WesternFairSeveral different businesses across the city are also accepting donations.
The Covent Garden Market is setting up a donation table Thursday from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. and again on Saturday from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Anderson Craft Ales is accepting food, household items, and clothing at its brewery on Elias Street,just down the street from the explosion. They are receiving items but say financial donations could be more helpful.
Fire Roasted Coffee at 630 Dundas is accepting large item donations, while Forked River Brewing says it's accepting household items, food, clothing, and other goods at its location on Pacific Court.
Pita Pit, meanwhile, is bringing food to first responders and those who have been displaced.
Adrienne Blackport, who helps run a Pita Pit franchise location on Wellington Road, said staff are preparing at least eight platters, and that people on the newly mobilized Friends of Woodman Facebook group have offered to help make deliveries.
"It's nice to see that everybody is pitching in," she said.
If any residents in London's <a href="https://twitter.com/oevca?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@oevca</a> have any landlord and tenant issues arising from last night's explosion on Woodman Ave., they can contact Community Legal Services <a href="https://twitter.com/westernuLaw?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@westernuLaw</a> at 519-661-3352.
—@dougferguson9Doug Ferguson, the director of the Community Legal Services Clinic at Western University, says anyone experiencing landlord and tenant problems as a result of the explosion can contact the clinic.
Two businesses, Middlesex Mechanical and Donaldson Heating and Air Conditioning, have offered to do inspections and repairs after houses in the area have their power restored.
The City of London has also set up a public information telephone line. People who need help or accommodations can contact 519-661-CITY(2489) ext 4548 or go to the Boyle Community Centre at 530 Charlotte Avenue.