No one was prepared for the loss of businesses, homes and possessions in the aftermath of one of the most destructive fires Athens had ever witnessed.
No one was prepared for the loss of businesses, homes and possessions in the aftermath of one of the most destructive fires Athens had ever witnessed.
But within the course of a few hours on Sunday, the citizens of this small city sprung into action, helping to provide food, clothing and shelter to the 40 Ohio University students who became displaced by the blaze. Clothing, food, toiletries and money were donated to those students throughout the day, and university administrators wasted little time booking hotel rooms for them.
We are proud of the compassion that OU has shown the affected students and urge the university to continue to offer them aid — both in terms of resources and items — throughout the duration of this trying time. If there’s ever an opportunity for the university to showcase its commitment to student safety and wellbeing, it’s now.
OU students are often accused of being apathetic to what goes on in their surroundings. At times, the student-resident relationship is portrayed as poor, with both sides not fully understanding the other’s ideas, wants and concerns.
The opposite of that proved true Sunday.
To witness the altruistic response of students, faculty, administration, emergency personnel, business owners and city leaders was touching on a deep level.
Rebuilding the numerous apartments that were destroyed and replacing the possessions lost with them will take time.
It won’t be easy to fix a bar such as The Union, which had been a favorite for generations of OU students, providing lifelong memories to the thousands who have perched on a barstool or shot a game of pool there. And it won’t be easy to renovate Kismet, a promising young business that had only been in operation for a year and a half.
Those are only two examples of the many West Union Street properties whose reconstruction projects will take place over the coming months.
Most of all, it won’t be easy to alleviate the anguish experienced by those whose lives were affected by the fire. But it will be just a bit easier while working with students and locals, administrators and city leaders all working as one, as we witnessed in the immediate aftermath of the fire.
We urge all parties involved to continue to do their part to help those in need.
Editorials represent the majority opinion of The Post’s executive editors.
