MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The investigation continues into the Bon Vista Apartment fire in Morgantown. Due to the level of damage, about $1 million the State Fire Marshals office will investigate.
On WAJR’s “Talk of the Town,” witness Abbie Backenstoe said she in the process of moving out of another building in the complex when she and her friend noticed thick black smoke and called for help.
“We called 911 and told them where it was and I think 5 to 7 minutes after that is when the fire department showed up,” Backenstoe said.
She said they watched the smoke through an opening between two buildings, but moved closer to determine what it was and how serious it could be.
“You really couldn’t stop watching it, it was crazy,” Backenstoe said. “The fire completely swallowed up the apartment. It went from the left building to the right top of the building then down to the second floor.”
Reports indicate the final report on the fire could weeks or even months to complete. The severity of damage has slowed investigators at the scene.
“Something must have started on the backside,” Backenstoe said. “Because when you walked over to the front where they were fighting the fire it didn’t look as severe.”
According to the organizer of the fundraiser Michaela Evans-Everette, due to the investigation the victims have not been able to return to their homes and assess the damage.
“They were actually waiting yesterday to get the ok from the Fire Marshal to see if they go in to see if anything was salvageable,” Evans-Everette said. “Then they could get an idea of what they would get through donations.”
The students also have access to the Kenneth D. and Carolyn T. Gray Student Emergency Fund. Gray is a former WVU Dean of Students for many years that established the fund after seeing students endure many hardships on campus.
“We do have the gofundme for not only all the families as one, but some of them have set up their own,” Evans-Everette said. “Whatever anybody is feeling, if they just want to share the post to get it out there. Whatever they would like to do to help.”