Volunteers hit the streets for fire prevention awareness in honor of MLK Jr. Day

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Dozens of volunteers hit the streets Saturday morning to raise fire prevention awareness in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

The volunteers met at 10:13 a.m. for snacks and words of motivation at the MLK Montessori School at 6801 S. Anthony Blvd. Volunteers then handed out educational material and batteries for smoke alarms to neighborhoods that tend to be most hit by home fires.

The American Red Cross and AmeriCorps organized the event.

"It's a good opportunity for us to get out and educate people. The American Red Cross assists people who have been affected by fires and so this is our way to hopefully lessen that need in our community," Amy Poffenberger, of AMERICORPS, said.

The American Red Cross of Northeast Indiana helped 506 residents after 116 fires in the Fort Wayne area last year.