Photo By Maciek Krzysztoforski
UNC students Stephene Gagnon and her friend Kate Connor lost their apartment and most of their belongings Sunday night.By Valarie Schwartz
By Valarie Schwartz
One of the great fears of life erupted into reality for residents of the G building of Colonial Village at Highland Hills apartments early Sunday morning as a deadly fire spread through their building.
It had to be terrifying to awaken to the sounds of chaos and rooms filled with smoke, grabbing consciousness along with reachable personal effects while dashing madly to safety, or, as in the case of the two young women whose door was engulfed in flames, with the only choice for life being escape from their second-story balcony; their landings not gently received.
There’s no good age for losing everything one possesses.
Tim Bothe, director of emergency services for the Red Cross of Orange County, said that of the 20 people who lost their home and belongings, most were college-student age.
“They were young professionals and students, with a few families,†he said.
Because they are young, one might assume they had less to lose. That makes it no easier. Young people generally struggle to make it on their own in feverish pursuit of independence. They face obstacles of any measure without the knowledge gained by experience and maturity, making emotional recovery more difficult, of course, making them formidably strong once they do. But where does one even start?
Five Red Cross volunteers were on the scene soon after notification at 2:35 a.m. Sunday. They provided those who were left with little more than their lives the financial assistance required for clothing and shoes and a safe place to stay. They also provided brochures: “Disaster Recovery: A Guide to Financial Issuesâ€; and “Picking up the Pieces After a Fire: Important Steps for Your Safe and Speedy Recovery.â€
Bothe, who has been with the Red Cross for over two years and witnessed a number of fire scenes, has never seen another fire like this one:
“This fire was very unique; the building burned very quickly.†He said that he’d never before seen an entire building go down. That has been attributed to the fact that the wooden building was built on steel supports rather than a foundation.
The best news to report from the scene comes in the form of what didn’t happen. The fire didn’t spread into the woods behind the building because firefighters fought the fire from that side, protecting the dry timber from exploding into a greater disaster.
Here lies another reminder that we have had precious little rain in many scorching, drying days. Local firefighters say that even if you don’t know where it’s coming from, if you smell smoke while in your yard or driving around, call 911. Give them the chance to assess it. We are all a careless light away from similar disaster during these dry times.
The victims have been provided housing in available apartments within the complex. Donations of clothes, food and items that make a vacant apartment a home will be accepted at the apartment management office.
These young people and families need to feel the support of this community. Call 967-0934 for more information.