Campus comes to aid of homeless students
Lynn Wloszek
The five CMU students left homeless after a Tuesday night fire gutted their apartment are benefiting from the generosity of the university community in their time of need.
Roommates Brown City senior Matthew Christner, Lansing junior Toan Nguyen, Marlette sophomore Daniel Redman, Greenville senior Herbert Woerpel III and Marlette senior Corey Rosser lost their home, along with all of their property inside.
Associate Dean of Students Mike Owens said the university has done its part in helping the students cope with their loss.
“In situations like this we immediately get together with leaders in key areas on campus,” he said.
The Office of Student Life, the Volunteer Center, Public Relations and Marketing, the CMU Police and the Office of the Dean of Students, have all helped in some way.
“This is an instance where no reports of any physical injuries were made,” he said. “Obviously there is always a great degree of emotional distress and property loss.”
Mike Silverthorn, Public Relations and Marketing executive director of news services, said the university made services available for the students to aid them through this time.
“The university offered housing arrangements for them, provided funds for buying meals and bought the textbooks that were damaged in the fire,” he said.
Owens said one or more of the students requested meals and none of the students requested housing.
Woerpel said he and his roommates are living on friends’ couches in Chippewa Village, 1825 S. Crawford Road.
“We wanted to all live together because we are close friends and didn’t want to live apart, especially after this,” he said.
Woerpel said the Central Michigan Chapter of the Red Cross as well as neighbors have assisted by giving him and his roommates money for food.
“We secluded ourselves and haven’t been in contact with people,” Woerpel said. “We kind of are still in shock and are just now putting things together and talking with people.”
Mount Pleasant Fire Department Captain Andy Theisen said the fire was started after a lacquer sealer was applied to a wood countertop and a torch was used to take the air bubbles off the finish.
“What you have got is an initial explosion of vapors,” Theisen said. “Once it exploded it quickly burns and what’s left is any contents on fire at the time.”
The fire department responded to 1015 Main St. at 7:24 p.m. and contained the fire to the front living room area of the house.
Of the five residents, only two were home and neither sustained injuries, Theisen said.
Theisen said students can prevent such incidents by never using open flammable liquids in conjunction with any type of fuel supply or ignitions sources, such as a torch or gas appliance.
“When using flammable products, make sure it is in a well ventilated area or outside,” he said.
The house was not structurally damaged and Rosser said it will be rebuilt and ready to live in by March.
Donations can be sent to 1825 S. Crawford Road, Apt. B6.
“We need as much help as anyone is willing to give because we have absolutely nothing and we have to continue on with our lives no matter what,” Woerpel said. “We’re trying to make the best out of it.”
