Shelter to Open for Victims of Unno Fire

Published on: Dec 23, 2016

Donation link established for ‘Osceola REDI’

Osceola County, Florida – Responding to an early-morning fire at the Unno Boutique Hotel, a pet-friendly shelter opened Friday afternoon for those needing a place to stay as the Red Cross evaluated their long-term needs.

An estimated 250 people were displaced by the fire that is believed to have start in the rear of the 130-room property located at 2095 E. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway. Officials said there was some construction was going on in that area.

“The outpouring from the community to this morning’s fire has been amazing,” said Commissioner Cheryl Grieb, whose district includes the hotel site. “Everyone is working diligently to assess the needs of the residents who lost their homes and to make sure that they are taken care of during this holiday season.”

Officials were working on a plan for a visit from Santa Claus in coming days at the shelter at Kissimmee Middle School. Throughout the day many residents dropped off items for the residents at the Osceola Council on Aging. There were about 20 pets staying at the hotel and Animal Service staff is helping their owners with care.

Officials stressed that the best way for residents to help was through cash donations. The county set up a link at www.osceola.org, available by visiting https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=FGXFL9TP27TH8. 

The fire started around 4:30 a.m. Friday morning in a back section of the hotel that was under construction. Osceola County, Kissimmee, St. Cloud and Orange County responded to the fire which was brought under control Friday afternoon. The cause was unknown and the state Fire Marshal will investigate.