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Athens Fire Disrupts Lives And Businesses Uptown
< < Back to athens-fire-disrupts-lives-and-businesses-uptownUpdate 2:35 p.m.
Fire crews are cleaning up the scene of a fire that ripped through five buildings in uptown Athens Sunday early morning.
Ron Lucas, the city's public information officer, said a total of six first-responders, three firefighters and three police officers, were taken to the hospital for treatment but declined to speculate on the extent of any injuries.
One Ohio University student was taken to the hospital and three others were treated and released at the scene.
The fire, which started around 4 a.m., also displaced about 40 students.
The fire damaged buildings housing Jackie O's Public House, The Union Bar & Grill, Jack Neal Floral, Campus Sundry, and the Smoke Zone.
OU officials will be meeting with students affected by the fire at 4 p.m. at Baker Center.
Union Street from Congress to College streets is closed along with Court Street from President to Washington streets and Congress Street from Washington to Union streets.
Update
Update 10:01 a.m.
Ohio University says it is working with about 30 students displaced by an early morning fire on Union Street.
According to information posted to the university's website, OU is working to provide short-term housing and immediate short-term needs to the students.
At least one student was taken to the hospital for treatment. Three other students were treated on the scene and released.
City officials say a police officer and firefighter were also injured. The extent of the injuries is not known at this time.
Union Street from Congress to College streets is closed along with Court Street from President to Washington streets and Congress Street from Washington to Union streets.
OU officials will be meeting with students affected by the fire at 4 p.m. at Baker Center.
At approximately 4:10 a.m. Sunday, November 16, Athens Firefighters responded to a call of "smoke coming from a door" in the alley behind Chipotle at 41 S. Court Street.
Once on the scene, it became clear the fire was affecting the businesses and apartments on Union Street near Jack Neal Floral and the clothing store Kismet.
Via social media, Ohio University officials encouraged students affected by the smoke and flames to seek shelter in Baker Center on campus.
No injuries are reported