James Cook University students displaced by a fire at University Hall will call NRL Cowboys House home for the next two weeks while secondary students are away over the Easter period.

At the start of the week 100 university students moved into rooms at the Boys Campus and newly opened Girls Campus, where they will stay for two weeks before permanent accommodation becomes available.

NRL Cowboys House and Cowboys Community Foundation staff were on hand to orientate the students with their new accommodation, which includes bed and board.

Cowboys Community Foundation director Fiona Pelling said that they were pleased NRL Cowboys House could be used.

“We were happy to have 100 beds available due to our students going home for the Easter break,” Pelling said.

“This would be a very distressing time for these students, so we’re pleased we could be involved in this small way and are doing what we can to make it as smooth as possible before their permanent accommodation becomes available.”

JCU Vice Chancellor Professor Sandra Harding has thanked those who have worked so hard to ensure permanent accommodation arrangements are in place.

“This has been a very difficult time for those affected by the fire. I’d particularly like to thank NRL Cowboys House for generously providing temporary accommodation for our students.”