U. Central Florida dorm blaze injures student
Jefferey Riley, January 23, 2009, Central Florida Future, U. Central Florida
Issue date: 1/29/09 Section: National College News
A fire injured one student and caused the Tower III housing building at the University of Central Florida to be evacuated Thursday afternoon.
The fire started in a room on the third floor and set off smoke alarms, said Chad Binette, assistant director of UCF News and Information.
The injured student was transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center.
The automatic sprinkler system in the room activated and put out most of the fire by the time Orange County Fire Department arrived at the scene, said John Mulhall, a public information officer with the OCFD.
Mulhall said the fire was small and contained.
The UCF Police Department blocked off East Plaza Drive, the road in front of Tower III, on both sides during the evacuation, but reopened the road shortly after.
A graduate assistant from the Department of Housing and Residence Life told the crowd of waiting residents that the building would remain closed for a few more hours.
At about 8 p.m. Thursday evening, Binette said that students were allowed back inside the building while workers from the UCF Physical Plant and University Property International, which manages part of the building, helped clean up the area.
Some rooms above and below the room where the fire took place will remain closed due to water damage, Binette said.
"About 35 students will be displaced," Binette said.
The housing department will attempt to find temporary rooms for the displaced students; however, they may choose to stay with friends off campus.
The fire started in a room on the third floor and set off smoke alarms, said Chad Binette, assistant director of UCF News and Information.
The injured student was transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center.
The automatic sprinkler system in the room activated and put out most of the fire by the time Orange County Fire Department arrived at the scene, said John Mulhall, a public information officer with the OCFD.
Mulhall said the fire was small and contained.
The UCF Police Department blocked off East Plaza Drive, the road in front of Tower III, on both sides during the evacuation, but reopened the road shortly after.
A graduate assistant from the Department of Housing and Residence Life told the crowd of waiting residents that the building would remain closed for a few more hours.
At about 8 p.m. Thursday evening, Binette said that students were allowed back inside the building while workers from the UCF Physical Plant and University Property International, which manages part of the building, helped clean up the area.
Some rooms above and below the room where the fire took place will remain closed due to water damage, Binette said.
"About 35 students will be displaced," Binette said.
The housing department will attempt to find temporary rooms for the displaced students; however, they may choose to stay with friends off campus.
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