Community Supports Greek Students in Virginia Who Escaped Fire

Greek students fire — The burning apartment building. Credit: YouTube screenshot

Greek students and siblings Andrea Zourou and Stratos Zouros narrowly escaped a raging fire after their condominium in Virginia burst into flames on Thursday.

The brother and sister, who are both from Athens, were able to flee the burning building by bravely jumping from the top floor, saving their lives.

Soon after Andrea and Stratos jumped from building, the entire section of the apartment complex was engulfed in flames.

Other residents also jumped from their windows to escape the fire as the flames raged throughout the halls of the building, blocking any exits and forcing them to jump.

The Greek students were the only residents who were transported to the hospital after the fire. The cause of the blaze is still not known, but it is currently under investigation.

Greek students lost everything in the fire

The Greek students, currently attending Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, were rushed to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries after the fire.

All of their possessions, however, were destroyed in the blaze, and the trauma of enduring such an event is immeasurable, especially so far away from home.

The pair of Greek students are “incredibly strong and currently recovering” after the fire, as noted by a friend in a post on Facebook.

Community has rallied around the Greek siblings, organized a fundraiser

The local community, including Greek Americans, as well as students, faculty, and staff at Old Dominion, have rallied around the Greek siblings after the fire.

Classmates, distraught at the event and dedicated to help their fellow Old Dominion students, have even organized a fundraiser for Andrea and Stratos, who are described as “beloved community members” who were “extremely active on campus.”

So far, over 188 people have donated to the cause, almost reaching the goal of $20,000. Organizers stress that anyone called to help can donate, even after the goal is reached.

Andrea is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Chemistry at Old Dominion, while her brother Stratos is an undergraduate studying Accounting at the university. Andrea is aiming to graduate this summer.

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