by Hailey Barrus–In the early evening of January 25, an apartment building on Morningside Ave, just across from the Morningside campus, was engulfed in flames. The fire left tenants without a place to stay, and some lost pets. Of the many tenants struck by this disaster, three were Morningside students, and they too lost everything.
Chelsea Suarez, senior nursing major at Morningside, was one of the students affected.
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“I was getting ready to watch the Kansas City Chiefs game when I heard screaming from outside my room. When I opened the door the apartment across from me was filled with black smoke,” Suarez said.
“I immediately knew something was seriously wrong. I turned to go and grab my cat, and whatever I could before exiting the building, but then the power went out so I left empty handed with what I had on and covered my nose with my shirt to exit the building,” Suarez continued.
After leaving the building Suarez was the one that notified 911. With panic in the streets she said police officers advised the tenants to keep back from the flames. With only her slippers and sweatshirt Suarez watched as the fire claimed all her belongings and her cat.
As the fire tore the building apart floor by floor the Sioux City Fire Department worked diligently to contain the flames. The crew worked into the latter hours of the night, and the residents of the complex were directed to seek shelter at Grace Methodist Church.
Morningside Chaplain Andrew Nelson said, “Luckily, one of the Grace Methodist Church members lived right down the road from the church, which sits directly across from the apartment complex, and opened the doors up so tenants were able to get warmth and comfort while firefighters fought the flames.”
The college, along with Nelson, will be working in the weeks to come to make sure the students affected by the fire have everything they need. Donations are being accepted via Nelson for the students.
“The support from the college and of the Siouxland community have been nothing short of amazing. The American Red Cross, Morningside College, and the entire community have shown so much support, and it feels good to not be alone during all of this.” Suarez said.
“If you are planning to donate to myself and the other tenants affected by this event, I also ask that you look at donating to the ASPCA as well, as myself and others lost our pets to the fire,” Suarez continued.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation with the Sioux City Fire Department, and all tenants were reported as okay with some reporting mild smoke inhalation.
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