West Virginia University - Monticola Yearbook (Morgantown, WV)

Page 31 text:

Morgantown housing could make for good kindling wood. We always loved to sit by a big wood tire when Fall came around and the best part was going out into the woods to gather up armload after armload of earthy smell- ing tree branches. We always cooked hotdogs and told stories around those warm, orange-blue fall fires. But, the fires we made were always put in the bag with the good memories. How can you remember anything good about the fire on Beechurst? Three girls lives were taken in that fire. Even now, three families are probably grieving for their lost daughters. I want to know this: Did that Beechurst fire inspire any land- lords to check out their property? Mor- gantown seems to be filled up with fire- wood. Every apartment house around the Sunnyside area would make for good kin- dling wood. The houses with five to six apartments each are everywhere in Sunnyside. What can the student say about the non- existent fire escapes or absence of smoke detectors? Should students pro- test or be categorized as complaining residents? Housing is hard to come by any student might say. And, added to that they might say, If we complain the owner can always find someone who won ' t. The Solution: Install smoke detectors. Students should demand smoke detectors and other fire preventive devices. Yes, I ' ll repeat that Students should demand smoke detectors and fire preventive devices! The Beechurst incident could happen all over again on Jones Avenue, First Street, Carson Street, Campus Drive, Grant Avenue. Beverly, Stewart or on Beechurst, again! The apartment I lived in for one semester did have a smoke detector. Once it broke and wouldn ' t shut off. The detector kept me awake all night and wouldn ' t let me sleep until I unhooked it. The point is, if you have a smoke detector and there is a fire, you will wake up. At the time, I hated the stupid thing but now when I think back about the Beechurst tragedy, I am glad the detector was there. Most of the homes in Morgantown were once occupied by the owners at least 50 years ago and then, there was no real knowledge of smoke detectors. Better yet, the owners probably didn ' t know such a thing could be installed. Smoke detectors, such as the ones on the market today didn ' t exist. However, that was yester- day and today we can buy them for about $25. The landlord can buy one and install it. There is no excuse for not having one installed. The price on the smoke detector has even gone down. The real problem isn ' t with the availability of smoke detectors but with the unavailability of landlord common sense. J. Thompson