The Red Cross is assisting residents impacted by a fire that grew to four alarms Dec. 13 in the Maryland Circle, Fullerton, community.

An emergency shelter has been set up by the American Red Cross Pennsylvania Rivers Chapter in Berrier Hall at Lehigh Carbon Community College, 4525 Education Park Drive, Schnecksville. The shelter was located at Whitehall High School but was moved to allow the school to resume its normal operations Dec. 15.

The emergency shelter offers, in addition to shelter, food, relief supplies, emotional support and other assistance, according to a news release.

Residents who have been affected by the fire can stop by for a hot meal, to charge their phone and receive other support. They do not need to stay in the shelter overnight to access services.

Red Cross disaster health services volunteers are present at the shelter to help with assessing health needs and replacing medications, eyeglasses or other medical supplies that may have been lost or destroyed in the fire.

Red Cross disaster mental health and spiritual care volunteers can help with the emotional toll of this disaster. Red Cross volunteers can also connect residents with resources to assist with replacing important documents and other services.

All disaster assistance is free, the release stated.

Whitehall Township Fire Department Stations 36 (Fullerton), 37 (West Catasauqua), 38 (Hokendauqua), 39 (Egypt) and 35 (fire police) and Cetronia Ambulance Corps, as well as mutual aid companies from Lehigh and Northampton counties, all responded to the fire, which started at 1 Maryland Circle on Fairmont Place. The first-floor blaze was reported just after 8 p.m., quickly moved to the second and then the third floors and was declared a four-alarm fire by 11 p.m.

Nineteen people stayed overnight in the Red Cross shelter, according to the release.

Whitehall-Coplay School District has announced a collection is underway to help families impacted by the fire and displacement.

Those in need of Red Cross assistance can call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).