Charter school leading way to support those displaced by devastating fire in Eagle Mountain

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Ranches Academy mobilized support for those affected by Tuesday's fire at an Eagle Mountain condominium complex, including an expectant family.
Efforts included donations and student messages, highlighting unity and compassion amid the tragedy.

EAGLE MOUNTAIN — What began as a quiet Tuesday quickly turned into a scramble for Lucas Orton and dozens of others after a fire tore through their condominium complex in the early hours of the morning.

Orton spent Tuesday afternoon loading bins into a U-Haul after he was evacuated in the middle of the night.

The fire broke out about 1 a.m., jolting residents from their sleep. Orton recalls the terrifying moment.

"I heard pounding on my door, and they were telling me to get out," he said. "When I walked out the entryway, and I had just my pajama bottoms and a T-shirt on. I didn't have my glasses or any shoes. There was smoke everywhere, and people were upset."

Among the displaced was a family with children attending Ranches Academy, a local charter school. Stephanie Colson, the school's executive director, quickly mobilized support after learning the family was not only homeless, but expecting a new baby next week.

"We're excited to be able to give (help) to this family and help them start over," Colson said.

The school community responded with compassion, organizing donations and involving students in the effort.

"We passed out hearts, and they wrote notes and drew pictures," Colson added, describing how children offered messages of hope and encouragement.

Students at Ranches Academy in Eagle Mountain wrote messages showing their support for a family displaced by a condominium complex fire. The family was due to have a baby next week. (Photo: Wesley Barton, KSL-TV)

As Orton packed up what little he could salvage, he reflected on the outpouring of support.

"As bad as this is, it's really nice to see the way the community rallied together in these dark times," he said. "It really gives me hope for, you know, (the) future. It instills that will to keep going."

Though the road ahead remains uncertain for those affected, the unity and generosity shown by neighbors, educators and students alike have offered a powerful reminder: even in the face of tragedy, kindness can light the way forward.

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