NORWAY – A woman who knows some of the tenants left homeless by Monday night’s rooming house fire has launched an effort to help her friends.

Debbie Carroll, a neighbor, contacted radio station WOXO and got the word out Tuesday that she was organizing a relief effort.

“They’re all wonderful men and women,” she said Tuesday night by phone from home. “They’re average people. They’ll do anything for you.”

One man would walk her home at night. Another helped people move things in and out of nearby buildings.

“When I heard that the Red Cross gave them each a $130 voucher for clothing at Wal-Mart and a $50 voucher for food, and three days at a motel, I said, ‘That was it, I’m getting involved.’ I know what it’s like to have nothing. It takes a lot out of you,” Carroll said.

She went to Goodwin’s Motor Inn on Route 26 on Tuesday. That’s where the Red Cross had placed six tenants.

Talking with them, she learned what they needed: blankets and sheets, bureaus, and men’s shirts and clothing.

“One guy made it out with only his sweatpants – no T-shirt – and his work jacket. A woman got out wearing only socks, flannel pjs and a T-shirt. I’m also looking for a rocking chair. (One man’s) rocker burned up, so, if I could find a rocking chair, it would be a real blessing,” she said.

People from as far as Portland responded by Tuesday afternoon.

“C.N. Brown called and said they have a whole truckload for me to pick up tomorrow, and several individuals gave me bags of clothes for the guys. All of this from something just over a little radio station. They’re all angels,” Carroll said.

Eric Lynes, emergency services director for the United Valley Chapter of the Red Cross in Lewiston, said it can provide help to meet immediate basic needs: food, clothing and shelter for two to three days.

During the night, Lynes said Red Cross opened a service center inside Norway’s fire station for the distraught tenants. The Red Cross also brought in its mental health support team, and spiritual leaders from the community came to help.

“The town really came together. At that time, it was all wonderful,” Lynes said.