Another rendition of Palmer Fest ended with a fire Saturday.
The festival ended early after a fire broke out in the basement of 11 Palmer St. at 7:08 p.m.
Law enforcement cleared the street of partygoers to allow the Athens Fire Department access to the fire hydrant on the street and the structural fire in the house.
Firefighters encountered resistance while attempting to run fire hose from the hydrant to the residence and individuals in the crowd began throwing bottles at law enforcement, which prompted the evacuation of the area, said Ohio University Police Chief Andrew Powers.
Mayor Paul Wiehl declared Palmer Street and the immediate area a riot zone, allowing law enforcement to clear people from the area and emergency personnel access to the fire.
The crowd responded to the evacuation better than past years, in part because people realized the need for firefighters to reach the fire, Athens Police Chief Tom Pyle said.
Athens Fire Department’s response to the fire was “considerably” delayed by the large crowds at the fest, said Fire Chief Bob Troxel, adding that firefighters would have been able to reach the fire in less time — which would have put the fire out in less time — if the fest was not going on.
No estimate for the damages has been made at this time, though Troxel said there was significant smoke damage to the building.
Kyle Richert, an OU senior who said he lives at 11 Palmer, said he was outside when someone told him his house was on fire and his first reaction was disbelief.
Richert said he was then moved away from his house by law enforcement.
"I wasn't even able to see my own house burn," said Richert.
The source of the fire has not yet been determined, but Troxel said the fire has been deemed “suspicious,” meaning the source was not among the typical accidental sources.
An official from the Athens Fire Marshall’s Office arrived at the house and began his investigation, though he declined to comment about the fire.
Natalie Launer, a resident of 11 Palmer St. and OU alumna, said there was a possibility the fire was started by arson, but said she believed it more likely to be accidental.
Because natural gas and electricity were shut off from the residence during the fire fight and because of significant smoke damage, Troxel said the house was currently “uninhabitable.”
Launer said the university offered emergency housing, but doubted she would use it.
Athens Police made 10 arrests before the riot evacuation was made and a total of 20 made by about 10:30 p.m.
Individuals who were arrested were those whose behavior was excessively disrupted and stood out from the crowd, Powers said.
Pyle said Saturday’s events definitely indicate further discussion about fests and emergency personnel’s ability to respond during them is necessary.
rc348710@ohiou.edu
