Written by Lulu Yin and Renee Liu
Translated by H.B. Qin
Edited by Ariel Tsai
On July 15 at 5 A.M., a fire broke out in a commercial building on Natoma Street and 8th Street in San Francisco’s South of Market (SOMA) district, according to the San Francisco Fire Department. The fire quickly escalated, leading the fire department to issue a Level 2 alert and initiate firefighting efforts. The blaze spread to two apartments at 751 and 751A Minna Street, rendering both units uninhabitable. As a result, ten family members were displaced and are currently being temporarily housed in a hotel, with accommodation arranged by the Human Services Agency (HSA). The American Red Cross referred this case to the Tzu Chi San Francisco Branch, hoping that immediate material assistance and support could be provided.
According to Luke Leung, a Tzu Chi volunteer who frequently assists with emergency relief efforts, many buildings in San Francisco are old, primarily wood structure constructions built in the early days, and their electrical systems still use designs and materials from decades ago. Nowadays, as households demand significantly higher power consumption, the outdated wiring, which was designed to handle lower power loads, often operates in an “overloaded” state. Prolonged excessive loads can cause wires to overheat, potentially leading to short circuits and fires.
The volunteers arrived at the disaster site and walked into the narrow alleys of San Francisco’s lesser-known long, narrow streets – areas where many immigrant families live on the margins of society, and where some homeless individuals sleep on the streets. The two affected households were Filipino families. One household consisted of a younger brother and three generations of his family, totaling seven people, while the other household included two unmarried sisters living with their nephew. After chatting with them, the volunteers learned that the three siblings had immigrated from the Philippines to San Francisco 35 years ago and had been living there ever since.
I went to the Red Cross this morning, and the volunteer said that a charitable organization called Tzu Chi would come to assist, but I didn't expect them to arrive so quickly. I am truly grateful.
Working Together for the Common Good
Tzu Chi has collaborated with the Red Cross for many years. In the event of a disaster, the Red Cross provides Tzu Chi with data on vulnerable survivors so that they can provide follow-up assistance. Tzu Chi volunteer Luke Leung said that analysis of the data revealed that most of the families referred by the Red Cross were undocumented immigrants or low-income families. These families were already struggling financially, and the fire made their situation even worse. Many lost everything overnight, became homeless, and were filled with anxiety and confusion. Tzu Chi volunteers quickly mobilized to contact the affected families and invite them to the office, where supplies and cash cards were distributed to disaster survivors.
When we receive emails from the Red Cross, volunteers always strive to arrive at the fire scene the next day to assess the damage. What disaster survivors need most is not just material assistance, but also timely care and support.
Heartfelt Gratitude
Disaster survivor Susana Signio and her niece’s family visited the Tzu Chi San Francisco Branch. After their apartment was destroyed by the fire, they had to stay in a hotel for a while. It was really hard to find an affordable apartment after living in the same place for over 30 years. Many landlords also don’t want to rent to families with too many people. The survivors had been searching for temporary housing in various places.
The volunteers were very welcoming, telling them all about Tzu Chi and the bamboo bank, and giving them secondhand clothes, backpacks, and Tzu Chi’s eco-friendly blankets to keep them warm. The survivors were amazed to get the cash cards from Tzu Chi just two days after the disaster. Susana was moved to tears as she held the volunteers’ hands tightly.
The cash cards are a huge help to us now. Your proactive assistance makes us feel cared for. From the bottom of my heart, I sincerely thank you.
Volunteer Luke Leung said that he’d seen how genuine and brilliant humanity can be when he was helping out with the fire relief efforts. It’s been tough for the disaster survivors, but Tzu Chi has been helping out, and the seeds of kindness they’ve sown are really paying off. Luke Leung hopes that one day they can become self-sufficient and lend a helping hand to others.
Behind the bustling international metropolis of San Francisco, many families live in the alleys and streets without anyone really noticing. They might be on the edge of society, but when disasters strike, the community always comes together and helps immediately.
Tzu Chi has been working with the Red Cross for a long time, and both organizations are well-respected and trusted members of the community. This latest fire relief effort is just one more example of the power of community working together for the common good. If you’re willing to engage with people, listen to them, and offer them support, you can make a real difference to families going through a tough time.
