The city may not be legally liable for the damage to Beth and Michael Clover’s duplex, but it seems officials should step up and do the right thing to help this couple.

The Clovers’ duplex is next door to and downhill from the Boardwalk Apartments at 524 Frontier, which was destroyed by fire last month. The huge volume of water used to fight the fire overloaded the sewer system and caused a backup into the Clovers’ house.

The Clovers praised the efforts of the firefighters who tried to help them after the fire, but they nonetheless were left with about $30,000 in damage to their home and its contents. They, and city officials, hoped their homeowners insurance would cover the damage, but after contacting their insurance company and appealing to the state insurance commissioner’s office, the couple has come up empty-handed.

They filed a claim against the city for the damage, but that was turned down because the city said its liability was limited to cases of negligence, and no negligence was involved.

Without a helping hand the Clovers will face a huge financial hardship that they said might even force them into bankruptcy. The city may not be at fault in this situation, but neither are the Clovers.

The city did nothing wrong in this case, but it certainly has the opportunity to do something right. City officials should continue to work with the Clovers and, if no money can be obtained through insurance, city commissioners reconsider the couple’s claim for help in covering their financial loss.