Sharpe Self Storage at 560 Joslen Blvd. in Hudson, N.Y., is providing free use of two storage units to hold donations for victims of a Feb. 28 fire. Firefighters from the Hudson Fire Department and nearby stations responded to a two-house fire at 336 and 338 State St. at 10:43 p.m. Crews worked in sub-zero temperatures and battled frozen hydrants and icy roads, according to the source. They remained on the scene until nearly 4 a.m. None of the 16 residents were injured, but a pet cat perished in the fire.

The community soon began collecting donations to assist the three families displaced by the blaze. Hudson Alderwoman Tiffany Garriga made a media appeal for donations. Garriga and Tiffany Martin Hamilton, vice president of the Hudson City School District Board of Education, also launched a fundraising campaign at gofundme.com. More than $12,000 has been raised to date.

The displaced residents include three families living in the two buildings. One family includes one adult and four children, while another includes one adult and one child. The third family consists of three adults and six children. The kids range in age from 7 months to 16 years, the source reported. One of the fire victims had just moved into the home last month and furnished it with a tax refund, Garriga told the source.

Garriga has received calls from people as far as Colonie and Kingston, N.Y., with donations of beds, furniture, school supplies and more for the displaced families. “I’m just grateful we could help and for all the people who have been making donations,” Garriga told the source.

Additional charities such as Our Community Cares Inc., a nonprofit that provides services to residents in Columbia County, N.Y., and the Mid-Hudson Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross are also helping the families.

Although the cause of the fire is still under investigation, Hudson Police Chief Edward Moore told the source it doesn’t appear to be arson. Three firefighters were treated at the scene for injuries, including one for nausea and two for cuts to their hands.

Sharpe Self Storage is family-owned and -operated. The facility offers 24-hour access and other amenities.

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