Fire damages chemistry lab

Advanced chemistry lab 306 in the Science Building caught fire Monday, March 15, destroying fume hoods and causing both ceiling and water damage due to the sprinkler system going off.

Campus Facilities had scheduled a power outage for the Science Building from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. on March 15, which was designed to find out which equipment was not operable when the generators were needed.

"When we lost power in the past, there were some things that were not working," Assistant Director of Campus Facilities Mark Giossi said.

According to the head of the Chemistry Department Dr. Stephen Starnes, a flask containing some type of chemical was left in the lab and possibly could have caused the fire when the power was restored at approximately 11 a.m.

There was no one in the lab during the outage.

"This was an unfortunate accident, because the lab and the research was very productive," Starnes said. "We do not know how it ignited. We can only speculate at this point."

According to Giossi, the Facilities staff followed all standards before powering down the building. All administration was aware of the shut-off and was also supposed to follow standards and precautions during the test.

"It is a new building, so the fire was contained due to the concrete floors on each level, and the sprinklers also came on," Physics Lab Coordinator John Dorrough said.

Dorrough arrived on the scene the following day to view the lab. He said the only effects on the lower floors were some water damage and replaceable tiles.

Starnes said activities taking place in the lab, 306, will be moved to another lab, so students and faculty can continue their research.

"The process will be difficult, but they will carry on," he said.

Because of these events, the science administration will hold a safety and precautions briefing for all labs in the building, both for teaching and research.