Wolpe Survives Fire and Alerts Neighbors to Danger

It was anything but a regular 2 a.m. on April 2 at 1140 North Avenue (North High Ridge Apartments) when Kendra Wolpe, dealing with insomnia, heard an alarm, smelled smoke, then gazed out the window.

Directly to her left, the neighbor’s attached screened-in porch was completely ablaze, already reaching the roof.  Now, reluctant to be labeled a heroine, Wolpe sprang into action.

“When I saw the fire, I jumped up, grabbed my passport, computer, phone, and ran out without shoes. I banged on the walls screaming for people to exit their units, figuring they’d be asleep and might not take the alarm seriously. I went to the neighboring units and started banging and screaming there. Thankfully, the alarms worked and were loud, so everyone exited safely. I think also because the fire seems to have started on the porches, rather than inside, it allowed people more time to get out.”

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Kendra Wolpe went from door-to-door banging frantically to rouse others at 2 a.m. to alert them of the building fire.

There was indeed an alarm system, but no sprinklers. This very same complex, including its 28 units, has experienced two fires in 20 years. With this most recent fire, even the units which were not directly incinerated were demolished before people were given a chance to recover items.

Wolpe’s unit was completely burned. Two cats perished; others scattered. Wolpe continued to describe the unfolding horror, “I was in shock and disbelief…praying that no one was harmed. I couldn’t believe what my eyes were telling me. I was thinking ‘it wouldn’t be that bad’ because the firefighters were there so quickly, that they would put it out. The news said the unit was only ‘partially collapsed,’ and I felt relieved. When I went there and saw the reality, I fell to my knees and cried.”

This same North Avenue property has had previous incidences of fire.

The Red Cross appeared right away and distributed gift cards. Tragically, first responders couldn’t access the fire hydrant which lacked pressure. They were also unable to turn off the main gas line while waiting to contact the city. The fire report stated that they changed their goal from quenching the fire to containment.

A community member quickly created a GoFundMe campaign for the apartment complex, and a donation center was set up.

Wolpe said, “It’s been inspiring and heartwarming to see how many people want to help. There has been almost $34,000 raised to split between 50 residents. Very few of the residents had renter’s insurance or any kind of protection. We all need help very badly. We are set for clothes, but as we begin to find new living spaces, we welcome furniture and household items.” To donate household items, email kendrawolpe@gmail.com. To contribute to the GoFundMe campaign, visit gofund.me/5c6443a5.

Victims are in need of furniture and household goods and GoFundMe donations.

The landlord intends to rebuild, according to the building manager, who is also a resident, but they have not offered to shelter or provide any relief for victims. Countless attempts have been made to reach the landlord (Carmichael). No cause of the fire has yet been certified.

Wolpe grew up in Philadelphia and moved to Atlanta three years ago. She graduated from George Washington University with a degree in psychology. Her primary employment is academic coach at Creating Positive Futures. She also works for Jewish Kids Groups, a newly launched accelerator program. JKG is a local Jewish afterschool program whose mission is to make Jewish learning fun, and reach families not being served in the Jewish community; it is also designed to include unaffiliated and interfaith families. JKG received a grant to take the program model nationally and help turn unused spaces in synagogues and other Jewish spaces countrywide into vibrant hubs of Jewish life.

Wolpe looks ahead, “My next steps are to rebuild, one day at a time. Thankfully I am able to stay with my parents. The community of previous residents of North High Ridge has come together, and it’s inspiring. I want to continue to help rebuild their lives. We have been unified by this shared trauma. I plan to repurchase everything I own with a more ecological lens, and really consider the weight of my consumer choices.”

Kendra’s father, Dr. Paul Root Wolpe is the noted American sociologist and bioethicist, who chairs Jewish bioethics and is a professor at Emory University. He came in the wee hours to pick up his barefoot frantic daughter.

She stated, “They (including mother, Val) have both taken absolute care of me. I am so blessed and grateful to be their daughter.”