ATHENS, Ohio — Two house fires in Athens over the weekend displaced eight individuals, all Ohio University students.
No injuries or casualties resulted from the fires that took place at 240 E. State St. and 82 ½ W. Union St. The individuals displaced are now fundraising for their recoveries.
There are individual GoFundMe pages for Andy, Cyrus and Eris, who lived at 82 ½ W. Union St.; and another for the five individuals displaced from 240 E. State St.
Around 5:45 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30, the Athens Fire Department responded to a call reporting “smoke visible inside the structure,” at 240 E. State St., the fire department’s incident report states. “According to a witness statement, the neighbors heard smoke detectors sounding from the residence at around 4:30pm.”
The fire was found throughout the structure; it appeared to have started in the basement, according to the fire department.
“Upon arrival, crews found an active fire on the first floor, and heavy smoke conditions throughout the entire house,” the fire department posted on Facebook. “Frigid temperatures hampered conditions; however, the fire was brought under control in a couple of hours.”
Fire at 240 E. State St. in Athens. All photos by Shiloh Antonuccio, Jan. 30, 2026.
The cause of the fire at 240 E. State St. is still under investigation. According to the Athens County Auditor, the five-bedroom home at 240 East State is owned by L’Heureux Properties.
Early the next day — around midnight, Saturday, Jan. 31 — the fire department responded to another house fire at 82 ½ W. Union St. That home is also a rental, owned by Alan McMillan of Cranberry Row LLC, according to the auditor’s website.
“Upon arrival crews found an active fire in the kitchen and attic areas. Flames were seen coming from the roof,” the fire department posted on Facebook. “The fire was quickly brought under control.”
The cause of the fire at 82 ½ West Union is still under investigation, too. The incident report states, “One witness report indicates that a space heater was in use in the kitchen cabinet, with the cabinet door open.”
Athens Fire Department Chief Robert Rymer said one cat was removed from the house on West Union. None of the residents were at their homes when the fires occurred.
Rymer said that the American Red Cross and Ohio University Dean of Students support students after emergencies such as house fires.
“We have connected with the impacted folks and assistance has been offered,” American Red Cross Central & Southern Ohio Regional Communications Manager Don Hawkins said in an email.
An OU representative said in an email, “Our Division of Student Affairs has been in contact with each of the eight affected students, and many of the parents and families of those who were impacted, to offer emergency housing assistance, community resources and emotional and well-being support services.”
The American Red Cross response rate to house fires jumps by nearly 20% in winter. Rymer noted basic winter heating safety measures, including:
- Make sure space heaters are UL Solutions-approved; that they include built-in safety measures, such as turning off automatically when tipped; and keep a three-foot perimeter around all heating devices.
- Plug in appliances and heating devices appropriately, and do not overload circuits.
- Make sure smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors work properly.
- Make sure wood stoves are inspected annually; use proper, dry and seasoned firewood.
- Ensure clear ventilation for vents that lead outdoors for good airflow.
