Community members are stepping in to help college students who lost everything in a fire over the weekend in downtown Bloomsburg.
Officials at Bloomsburg University said 27 students lost just about everything Sunday in the fire that destroyed their apartments on West Main Street, but help is on the way.
Flames ripped through not only the students' apartments but also some businesses and several other apartments in three buildings.
"I was able to put on a pair of shoes and grab my phone. Other than that everything is gone," said student Ashley Shick.
"We lost all of out books and notes we've taken and it's midterm week so it's a little hard," said student Lisa Baier.
They are not facing this alone.
The staff at the university has stepped in and offered all 27 displaced students temporary free housing on campus.
Officials at the university said they have also set up donation boxes for clothes and a fund for monetary donations for the fire victims.
"We just keep saying we can't get over it because it's total strangers and it's not their problem really but they are really helping us and and not just leaving us to figure it out for ourselves," said fire victim Amanda Worsham.
Fire victims can go to the university book store to borrow text books and pick up supplies for free.
Brittany Parks got her books Monday. She and her family lost all of their belongings, along with their baby's supplies when the fire hit.
"For random strangers to come up and give us $20 or a guy gave him a $100 bill to help us out and get us through. So for people to do that changes how you feel toward others," Parks said.
"It's the worst feeling I've ever felt short of losing a family member," said fire victim Michael Zarrett. His business had been in downtown for 15 years. He plans to rebuild.
The buildings have been in downtown Bloomsburg for at least 100 years but will soon have to be razed.
The Amins owned one of the buildings damaged by fire. "We love Bloomsburg. We are here 24 years here and we love this place and are looking for ways, from the community or bankers or anything, then we can rebuild the place," said Ruhul Amin.
Everything is tied up in this building. So after yesterday I can't think anymore," added Halima Amin.
One person hurt in the fire is still in the hospital.
Investigators are still looking for the cause of the fire.
Officials at Bloomsburg University said 27 students lost just about everything Sunday in the fire that destroyed their apartments on West Main Street, but help is on the way.
Flames ripped through not only the students' apartments but also some businesses and several other apartments in three buildings.
"I was able to put on a pair of shoes and grab my phone. Other than that everything is gone," said student Ashley Shick.
"We lost all of out books and notes we've taken and it's midterm week so it's a little hard," said student Lisa Baier.
They are not facing this alone.
The staff at the university has stepped in and offered all 27 displaced students temporary free housing on campus.
Officials at the university said they have also set up donation boxes for clothes and a fund for monetary donations for the fire victims.
"We just keep saying we can't get over it because it's total strangers and it's not their problem really but they are really helping us and and not just leaving us to figure it out for ourselves," said fire victim Amanda Worsham.
Fire victims can go to the university book store to borrow text books and pick up supplies for free.
Brittany Parks got her books Monday. She and her family lost all of their belongings, along with their baby's supplies when the fire hit.
"For random strangers to come up and give us $20 or a guy gave him a $100 bill to help us out and get us through. So for people to do that changes how you feel toward others," Parks said.
"It's the worst feeling I've ever felt short of losing a family member," said fire victim Michael Zarrett. His business had been in downtown for 15 years. He plans to rebuild.
The buildings have been in downtown Bloomsburg for at least 100 years but will soon have to be razed.
The Amins owned one of the buildings damaged by fire. "We love Bloomsburg. We are here 24 years here and we love this place and are looking for ways, from the community or bankers or anything, then we can rebuild the place," said Ruhul Amin.
Everything is tied up in this building. So after yesterday I can't think anymore," added Halima Amin.
One person hurt in the fire is still in the hospital.
Investigators are still looking for the cause of the fire.
