March 27, 2008
Stewart Center evacuated after fire; library reopens
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue University's Stewart Center was evacuated Thursday (March 27) after a small fire on the third floor filled the four-story building with smoke.Smoke alarms went off in each floor of the building, from the basement to the fourth floor, at about 3:30 p.m., said Purdue Police Capt. John Cox. The building was evacuated as firefighters and police tried to locate the source of smoke.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. Most of the damage was contained to Room 311, said Carol Shelby, senior director of environment, health and safety at Purdue said.
"The fire investigation is ongoing," Shelby said. "The Purdue police and fire departments are working at the scene at this time."
John W. Hicks Undergraduate Library, which is attached to Stewart Center, was evacuated for about 45 minutes as a precaution. It reopened at about 4:15 p.m.
Stewart Center, which houses classrooms, offices and conference rooms, was expected to reopen sometime in the evening, Shelby said. The third floor will remain closed until further notice.
West Lafayette's police and fire units assisted the Purdue police and fire departments.
Writer: Jim Bush, (765) 494-2077, jsbush@purdue.edu
Sources: John Cox, (765) 494-8221, jkcox@purdue.edu
Carol Shelby, (765) 494-7504, cshelby@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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