At approximately 10 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 25, a fire occurred at the Village Apartment complex in apartment B-4. The Searcy Fire Department and Harding Public Safety both responded promptly following notifications of smoke coming from the building observed by a member of the Physical Resources staff who was in the area.

After their arrival on the scene, Public Safety and Physical Resources both contacted Dean of Students David Collins, who said he then went to the apartment complex to assess the situation and make sure everyone was safe.

“After learning that everyone at the scene was safe, we began notifying the residents of the building, most of whom were not at home when the fire occurred,” Collins said. “The occupants of the apartment that suffered damage were not home at the time of the fire.”

In addition to the absence of the residents at the time of the fire, residence life coordinator Jason Edens was out of town and therefore unable to handle the situation as he normally would have.

“I found out that there was a fire via a phone call and received all of my information regarding that situation second-hand,” Edens said. “I was in constant communication to make sure that the necessary people were notified and that everyone was safe.”

Collins said that once the residents arrived and the fire department had completed their work, the rest of the day was spent assisting those who lived there. They helped salvage and clean the belongings that were not destroyed. Also during this time, Collins said arrangements were made for the occupants to live in another apartment on campus, which they began furnishing immediately.

“Public Safety, Physical Resources and Aramark were all instrumental in responding to the immediate situation, as well as with clean-up,” Collins said. “Faculty, staff and students responded with financial assistance and with household items to assist the students.”

According to Collins, the fire damage to the apartment was contained to just the hallway and laundry area, but the heat and smoke damage spread throughout the apartment. While the occupants of that apartment can no longer live there, the other three apartments were not damaged, allowing the other residents to continue living there.

Though the situation is not ideal, Collins said Physical Resources will begin the restoration of the apartment soon so the residents can return to their home.