Athens City Council extended thanks to first responders that arrived on scene Sunday morning to extinguish flames at West Union Street
The tone was somber at 8 E. Washington St. Monday evening, when Kent Butler, acting president of Athens City Council, asked if councilmembers had anything they wanted to say.
Councilman Steve Patterson, D-at large, opened the weekly meeting by extending thanks from city officials to each of the first responders who spent Sunday extinguishing the flames that engulfed five buildings on West Union Street.
According to a press release sent out by the city Monday afternoon, six fire departments responded to the call, bringing approximately 60 firefighters to the scene.
Patterson attributed this to an agreement made between various cities in surrounding areas.
“I think our mutual agreement with other cities is … working and working well,” Patterson said.
Despite the many meetings held by city officials Monday, Athens Mayor Paul Wiehl said the city has no plan to assist affected business owners at this point.
“We’re just trying to get the place stabilized as fast as possible,” he said.
According to the news release, firefighters continued “spraying down hot spots that continue to flare up” late into Monday afternoon.
Wiehl did say that it was “too early to say what will happen” following the fire.
“Right now, we’re waiting to see what the data looks like on the fire itself,” Patterson said.
Patterson added that city officials still don’t know what started the fire that affected seven businesses on West Union Street.
“We’ll help out the best we can,” Wiehl said, adding that the city would put out notices with more information as soon as they could.
Butler added to that sentiment.
“Obviously, we want to see the businesses established and returned to prominence,” he said.
Butler, an Ohio University alumnus, said he was impressed with the university’s response.
“I think that we’re really lucky to live in a community where there is so much support for students as well,” he said. “It makes me proud to be a Bobcat.”
Councilmembers also applauded the way local businesses rallied around owners of the destroyed buildings.
Councilwoman Michele Papai, D-3rd Ward, and Patterson attended a meeting at ARTS/West, 132 W. State St., Monday afternoon.
“(It was) a coordinating effort in trying to get people to talk to each other,” Papai said.
Patterson said discussion pointed to how city officials could better help employees that had been laid off due to the fire.
“It’s the business community pulling together to find employment … for the employees,” Patterson said.
Councilwoman Jennifer Cochran, D-at large, further voiced her concern for the unemployed.
“You don’t really think about the extent of the aftermath.”
@EmilyBohatch
eb346012@ohiou.edu
