A sign sits on a chair in Northern Michigan University’s Superior Dome pointing to the temporary shelter in the facility for residents of Pine Ridge Apartments displaced by a fire on the roof of the nine-story building on Tuesday. Of the 145 Pine Ridge Apartments residents, 34 remain at the temporary shelter set up by the American Red Cross while others have found individual accommodations. (Journal photo by Lisa Bowers)

MARQUETTE –There are no easy answers to the question when will Pine Ridge Apartments residents get to go home after a fire on the roof of the apartment building Tuesday forced them to evacuate.

Officials at the Marquette City Fire Department said there are “no updates.” Investigators from the MCFD, the Michigan State Police and a private insurance company were expected to enter the building Thursday to perform initial inspections.

The utilities were still off at Pine Ridge as of Thursday evening, according to an American Red Cross press release:

“The apartment complex remains closed today, without utilities and is not yet cleared for residents to return, pending necessary safety inspections from local authorities.”

Marquette County Emergency Manager Teresa Schwalbach said residents that were able to walk up and down stairs were able to get in the building to gather some personal items on Wednesday and Thursday, but there is no guarantee as to when residents can permanently return home.

“As far as them getting back in, that we don’t know. We are taking it day by day,” Schwalbach said.

As many as 39 residents have stayed in the shelter set up by the Red Cross at Northern Michigan University’s Superior Dome. Many others have found lodging with family and friends, and still others are staying in area hotels courtesy of the Pigs N’ Heat Fire Relief Fund.

“We have had to put up a couple, Pigs N’ Heat has been graciously paying for a few nights that cannot handle a shelter, whether its the cots or the facility,” Schwalbach said. “So they have been covering the cost of the rooms for them. Pigs N’ Heat has been great.”

The Red Cross press release states that the operation at the Superior Dome will continue “while the search for more permanent housing is ongoing for those housed in the shelter.”

The release states that “additional individuals impacted by the fire who have found temporary or permanent housing elsewhere are now being sought by the Red Cross in order to better assess their possible assistance and/or housing needs.”

Red Cross volunteers have been coming in from all over the Upper Peninsula to assist in staffing the shelter. The Salvation Army has been providing meals for shelter residents.

“As far as clothing and their basic needs, those are covered,” Schwalbach said. “They have the shelter, they have the food they need and they are able to shower.”

Residents seeking updates on the status of returning home should call 211, or visit the Marquette County Emergency Management Facebook page.

“I try to put some updated information on the Marquette County Emergency Management Facebook Page,” Schwalbach said. “They (residents) are hearing from others, but we have to make sure it’s (the information) is correct. But, yeah, 211 is the main hub that they can get their information from.”

She said that once residents return home to Pine Ridge there is one thing that they will likely need.

“The only thing we are looking for, with the power being shut off at the facility, the food in the refrigerators is spoiling,” Schwalbach said. “So we are asking for just gift cards, so that they can have something to go and just purchase food.”

Gift cards can be dropped off at the Lake Superior Village office at 125 Dobson Place in Marquette between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Those wishing to help the residents can also make donations for residents to a special account at River Valley Bank named MHC Pine Ridge or donate directly to the American Red Cross or the Salvation Army if they choose.

The community response, according to the Red Cross release has been substantial, including Marquette City Fire Department; UP Health System-Marquette; Marquette County Central Dispatch; Marquette Township Fire Department; Chocolay Township Fire Department; Marquette City Police Department; Chocolay Township Police Department; Marquette County Sheriff’s Office; Michigan State Police; NMU Public Safety; Michigan DNR Conservation Officers; Semco Gas; Marquette Board of Light and Power; Marquette City Department of Public Works; MarqTran; Marquette County Emergency Management; Marquette County Pigs & Heat; Marquette County Health Department nurses; NMU Dome staff; Region 8 MCC; UPCAP 2-1-1; and Verizon.

The Marquette Housing Commission was contacted, but could not be reached for comment before press time.

Lisa Bowers can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242. Her email address is lbowers@miningjournal.net.