Tom Moore, a university spokesman, said that an early morning fire on Wednesday, September 24 took place on the fifth level of the Chemistry Building early today, causing damage to the building, but no injuries were sustained.
The report of the fire was made at 3 AM. Fire investigators say the fire may have originated in a container where students and faculty dispose of sharp items, such as syringes with needles. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but the blaze could have involved the ignition of chemicals.
A sprinkler system helped contain the fire to a limited area, but water damage occurred on the fifth, fourth and third floors of the building. A preliminary estimate places the amount of damage in excess of $100,000.
Faculty and staff in the affected areas have been relocated until the damage is repaired, which may take several days.
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