Ovid Community Unites to Help After Devastating Main Street Fire
OVID, N.Y. (WENY) -- The Ovid community is mourning the loss of a significant part of Main Street, after a massive fire Tuesday night left behind smoldering rubble and shattered lives.
The blaze, which firefighters battled in freezing temperatures, created difficult challenges. Trucks and hoses froze as icicles formed on equipment. Even two days later, smoke still lingers over the debris.
"We will get through this because this is a very strong community," says Priscilla Smalser, Ovid resident and community volunteer. "It's a very loving community; neighbors help neighbors."
Despite the devastation, the tragedy has brought out support from Seneca County and throughout the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions. People from Elmira and Trumansburg have been donating clothing, hygiene products, food, and their time to support those affected by the fire.
"The response has been incredible," says Ovid Mayor, Aaron Roisen. "We've had such [an] outpour of communities around us that really have really shown how much they care for Ovid, and they've given us such a huge amount of relief to know that we've got that level of support from so many people that are absolutely almost bottomless in terms of their donations and gifts. "
At the local community center at the Ovid Fire Department, volunteers are spending their days sorting through bags of clothing for the victims who lost everything. Each piece is carefully categorized by size, gender, and season to ensure families can quickly find what they need.
Meanwhile, at the Ovid Fire Department, located several blocks away from the rubble, the community center at the station has become a hub for donations and support efforts.
Lifelong Ovid resident Cameron Mollenkopf was among the many first responders on the scene the night of the fire. He reflected on the peculiar similarities to the 2014 fire, also on Ovid's Main Street.
"I've been here my whole life and it's just crazy that we had another block fire because 11 years ago or 12 years ago or so, we did have another one and it was on the same corner but on the opposite, you know, across the street, and you know it's just crazy that it happened again and it burned down the grocery store. That is local," says Mollenkopf.
The loss is a lot to swallow, but the resilience of the tight-knit community is strong. Volunteers are stepping up not just to help clean up but to provide anything they can including emotional support.
"It really gives back because you know people that are going through this right now," shared Jane Broadfield, a community volunteer. "None of us are ever going to know what that feels like, so we know that it is not fun and they're struggling, so we wanted to help as much as we can."
Even while the sun was shining on Thursday, the clean-up was far from over. Yet, Ovid residents are already looking forward, determined to rebuild the community they love and call home.
Authorities shared on Tuesday, January 22nd they believe the fire's cause was a plugged-in portable charger in an apartment above the Big M grocery store.
If you'd like to give back to those affected by the fire, Catholic Charities of the Finger Lakes is accepting monetary donations to help support victims. Additionally, the United Way of Seneca County is sharing resources where food, furniture, and other items can be donated.
Directly in Ovid, the Federated Church located at 7137 N. Main Street is accepting donations on Friday, January 24th.
