Dozens of fire victims this February

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - February is one of the busiest months for home fires and in just the past week there have been six in Western Massachusetts.

The Pioneer Valley Chapter of the Red Cross helped 38 people just this past week, including the Colon family who lost everything Wednesday after fire gutted their Springfield home.

Nearly two days later, Luz Colon continues to sit across the street refusing to leave the place she's called home for 39 years.

Her daughter, Evelyn, told 22News, “This is her house so she wants to be here watching her house."

All ten members of the family were able to escape the blaze Wednesday night on Grove Street.

Evelyn Colon said, "We would have never thought that this would happen to us." 

Mary Nathan is the Regional Response Manager for the Red Cross of Central and Western Massachusetts.

She told 22News, “Most people say to us I've never faced this before.  I don't know what to do."

The non-profit group provides food, shelter, clothing and resources for victims.

But with six fires in just four days, their resources are being stretched thin.

Nathan explained, “We've seen everything from kitchen fires to wiring issues to smoking materials. ”

There's still no word on what caused the blaze on Grove Street, Colon says it started in her granddaughter's bedroom.