MORE than 100 students at Townsville's James Cook University campus remain displaced after a fire broke out in a dormitory block early yesterday morning.
About 120 students spent the night sleeping on camp stretchers on campus after the fire took hold in a room at University Hall on Thursday morning.
The students have been provided with stretchers, blankets and pillows sourced from the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services' Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) cache in Townsville.
The university has also been quick to help and has provided cash assistance to affected students and set up an information centre on campus.
Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford QFES had been available to help out with the bedding.
"QFES was asked to provide the camp beds and bedding for about 120 students and, thanks to our ever-ready DART supplies, they were able to help out," Mr Crawford said.
"Displaced students needed temporary beds after the fire damaged one of the dorms and QFES was able to help out.
"QFES have already made a special delivery of stretchers, blankets, sleeping bags and pillows to the university to give the students a hand at this difficult time.
"This ensures minimal disruption to their studies and lives until more long-term arrangements can be made."
About 200 students were evacuated from A and B blocks of University Hall after the fire was reported about 1am on Thursday.
It took 20 firefighters in six vehicles to extinguish the blaze.
No students were injured and investigations into what caused the fire are continuing.
JCU chief of staff Vanessa Cannon said every effort was being taken to ensure the safety and wellbeing of students, and the university is doing everything it can to support affected students.
"Students have been offered counselling and James Cook University is working to minimise disruption and inconvenience, including any disruption to their studies," Ms Cannon said.
The university has provided emergency cash payments to affected students so they can purchase essential items.
Personal belongings damaged in the fire will be covered by the university's insurance, and the process of compensation will be communicated to students.
JCU has set up a 'pop up' support centre at Education Central to respond to student inquiries and provide assistance with counselling, academic support, emergency cash payments, replacement ID cards, and information about insurance claims.
The Red Cross has offered assistance, including clothing, toiletries and pastoral care.
"Staff will continue working with every affected student to support them during this time, including knowing where they stand in regards to what's happening with their accommodation," Ms Cannon said.
QFES Commissioner Katarina Carroll said QFES disaster response resources were there to benefit the whole of the north Queensland community.
"This DART cache is there to use whenever there is a major emergency or disaster incident, such as the recent Townsville floods," Ms Carroll said.
"During that incident we used the DART cache to accommodate personnel from across the state to ensure the Townsville community benefited from a first-class response.
"Alongside tents, bedding and accommodation capability, the DART cache also includes specialist response equipment, such as high-tech search cameras and important cutting or lifting gear.
"Having this capability based in the region ensures it is available for any situation at a moment's notice."
