Albertus Van Raalte was not in Holland at the time of the fire, but his family opened their home to those seeking refuge from the flames. Many people used the Van Raalte property as a meeting place for family members traveling separately. The First Reformed Church (now Pillar Church), founded by Van Raalte, survived the fire unscathed. Hope College, just down the street, survived the fire relatively undamaged as well. It also housed people fleeing from the fire, providing a safe place to meet and stay while making more long-term living arrangements. The campus headquartered relief efforts in the weeks following the fire.

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