By Jean Cole
jean@athensnews-courier.com
—
The manager of an Athens apartment building destroyed by fire early Sunday is seeking donations for the eight families who lost everything they owned in the blaze.
Kathy Sims, property manager for Athens Village Apartments on Elm Street said donations could be made at any Redstone Federal Credit Union branch in the name of Athens Village Fire Victims.
“We will use it for whatever assistance they need,” she said Monday.
The 1:30 a.m. fire, believed to have been sparked by a cigarette thrown on an overstuffed patio chair, destroyed the eight units in Building D. The charred, skeletonized remains of the chair could be seen on a back, lower patio Monday morning.
The group that owns Athens Village has offered the victims other apartments at Athens Village as well as at two other complexes it owns — Athens Park and Athens Square, she said. But they will need further assistance.
“We have housing for them but they have lost everything,” Sims said. “It is a total loss — even the bottom units got water and smoke damage. They will need help with utilities and deposits for utilities.”
Anyone who would like more information about donating may call Sims at 256-233-8588.
The Limestone County chapter of the American Red Cross had helped all eight families by Monday morning, said Director Kathy Harland.
“We helped a total of 22 people ranging from 14 month to 62 years,” she said. “All eight are staying in a local motel. They stayed Saturday night, Sunday night and tonight (Monday night).”
They were also given the means to buy clothes, shoes and food. They also received what are called “comfort kits,” which include soap, shampoo, deodorant, a toothbrush, toothpaste and washcloth.
Following Sunday’s fire, the local Red Cross could use small donations of cash.
“Last year, we helped 30 families or about 120 people,” Harland said. “Helping these eight families is about two months worth.”
Donations of $5 to $10 by as many as can afford it would be sufficient to enable the Red Cross to be ready to help others who will undoubtedly need them sometime during the rest of the year.
‘Superb’ effort
Athens Village resident Trent Moss described as “superb” efforts by Athens firefighters and police to rescue seven victims from balconies at the two-story apartment complex, including two children.
Moss, who was visiting friends at the time, said he had gone to bed just before the fire broke out about 1:30 a.m.
“I had just laid down, when my daughter, Amy, who is 18, said, ‘Daddy, daddy, Aunt Cathy’s apartment building is on fire!’”
Moss’ sister, Cathy McClendon, was living in the upper floor of the building next-door with Linda and Jerry Kellum, he said.
“When I first went outside it didn’t look that bad,” Moss said. Then, it was like an inferno. It spread fast.”
He watched Athens firefighters and police quickly rescue people from the building’s balconies.
“Firefighters did one hell of a job, pardon my French,” he said. “They put a ladder up and helped one gentleman down. They were superb in everything they did.”
Rescuers included Battalion Chief Tony Carter, Capt. Leslie Williams, Martin Ezell, Capt. Jeff Jones and driver Chuck Talley, all firefighters; police officers Jeff Gentlecore, Patrick Minor and Kurt Wimberly; and reserve officer Jimmy Rodgers, according to published reports.
Firefighters said the chair fire spread to the balcony above, where a mattress was leaning against the outside of the building. From there it spread to the attic and roof.
Moss questioned whether a smoldering cigarette sparked the blaze. He said he had noticed an electrical smell near the same apartment in the weeks before the fire.
