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A local assistance center established for people affected by the San Bruno fire is “inundated and overwhelmed with food and clothing,” the city’s mayor told a crowd of volunteers and other people.
People wanting to help are asked to make cash donations instead of food or clothing, Mayor Jim Ruane said. Checks can be made out to the American Red Cross and designated for the Glenview neighborhood fire.
Food, clothing and shelter are still available for victims of the fire at the Veterans Memorial Recreation Center, located at 251 City Park Way.
Also on site are several insurance companies, the Peninsula Humane Society and SPCA, the Mexican Consulate, the Red Cross, the Salvation Army, AT&T, PG&E and the San Mateo County departments of public works, building services, and health, behavior, and human services.
Donations to the recreation center have been re-routed to 300 El Camino Real in San Bruno and 409 S. Spruce St. in South San Francisco.
Ruane said there is no “firm idea” of when residents will be able to visit homes in the area of the fire.
“There’s still about 25 percent hot spots. We can’t get into some of the area yet,” Ruane said. “(First responders) are struggling feverishly, actually, to make sure that whatever (information) they give you is totally accurate.”
Any new information will be posted on the city’s website at sanbruno.ca.gov.
First responders are finalizing a list of properties affected by the fire, City Manager Connie Jackson said. Once completed, the list will be available at the recreation center.
“We know that you’re here to receive that information, and we request your assistance in following the instructions of our staff as we move to disseminate the information,” Jackson told the crowd. “We will be posting and distributing the information among those of you who are assembled here.
“We want to be sensitive to those of you who may experience a traumatic loss. There are those losses.”
Jackson added the city is unable to predict when residents will be allowed to return to their homes.
Sen. Barbara Boxer, Rep. Nancy Pelosi and First Lady Maria Shriver are expected in San Bruno as early as this afternoon, Ruane said.
