On Tuesday morning, March 12, a building at Village Green Apartments caught on fire, causing substantial damage to the privately owned complex situated on North MacMillan Ave., close to UNCW campus. No injuries were reported, according to the Wilmington Fire Department. However, the aftermath of the blaze has left numerous residents displaced, with at least three confirmed to be UNCW students. The extent of the impact on students may vary pending assessments of smoke and water damage to nearby buildings.
According to the WFD, the call came in just before 9 a.m. for a structure fire at Village Green Apartments on Atlantis Court. Upon arrival, there was smoke and flames showing from the roof of the building. Crews were able to determine there were no people trapped inside the building and got the fire under control, containing it to the building of origin. The fire displaced 33 residents and 17 of the 18 units in the building were occupied. An investigation by UNCW’s Fire Marshals found the fire to be accidental in nature and started in a utility room on the third floor.
Case responders from The Red Cross were on the scene to address any needs of residents. The Red Cross has set up a sanctuary available until Friday, March 15, for those affected by the fire at North Side Church, located at 2501 N College Road. After Friday, the goal is to help displaced residents find housing and assist with further supplies they may need.
UNCW has a campus emergency fund for emergencies. Upon arriving at the scene, Mike Walker, Ed.D., Associate Vice Chancellor & Dean of Students, received a list of residents identified as UNCW students. He reached out to these students, offering both short and long-term assistance. Simultaneously, he contacted their instructors to inform them of potential absences.
To alleviate immediate needs, the university is providing a range of support measures. Affected students are being offered a $50 gift card to Target for purchasing essential items such as clothes and supplies. Additionally, UNCW is issuing free meal vouchers for several days and granting immediate access to the campus food pantry and clothes closet. Furthermore, the university is facilitating the replacement of lost or damaged items, including OneCards, textbooks and laptops.
For further assistance, there are several on-campus resources to reach out to:
- Students – contact the University Counseling Center (910-962-3746).
- Faculty and staff – support is available through the Employee Assistance Program and Headspace Care
