IVEL - The Big Sandy chapter of the Red Cross and executives from Mark West Hydrocarbon jointly announced yesterday that they are working together to help residents of Rolling Acres after the entire community was displaced due to a pipeline explosion on Monday.

One problem that they are facing is how to track down residents of the subdivision who are scattered throughout the area staying at hotels and with relatives.

Kentucky State Police spokesman Scott Hopkins announced that residents of the area can call the temporary command center that his been set up to manage the crisis at (606) 791-7700. Callers from the Rolling Acres subdivision can learn what services have been donated by calling that number.

"We are putting people up at local hotels and are determined to go even further for those who lost their homes," said Red Cross President Peggy Bach. "The Red Cross will help displaced persons find a rental property and will handle the first month's rent and security deposit. Our aim is to have people get back to some semblance of normalcy in their lives within two weeks."

Hopkins said that Mark West is eager to help. He said that the company made its intent known with its first question to authorities, when they asked what it was they could do for residents affected by the explosion, which destroyed five homes and has shut down the subdivision until an investigation determines if it is safe for residents to move back in.

"We want to allow families back into their homes as soon as possible, but we need to be sure that it is safe to do so," said David Young, senior vice president of Mark West.

The Red Cross can be contacted at (606) 886-8330. The Command Post is at (606) 791-7700 and the Kentucky State Police are at (606) 433-7711.