News & Notes: Smoke alarm causes evacuation in Wilf Hall

A smoke alarm in Wilf Hall was activated at 3:26 a.m. on Sunday morning, summoning Public Safety officers to the scene and prompting an evacuation of the building. Officers found that the alarm appeared to have been activated by the removal of a fire extinguisher, as no evidence of a fire was found on the premises. 

Officers and staff who responded to alarm found “a yellowish powder on the floor and a cloud of dust in the area in the basement level,” University spokesperson Martin Mbugua said.

It appeared that a dry chemical fire extinguisher had been removed and discharged in the area near the elevator. The removal of the fire extinguisher set off the alarm, Mbugua explained.

In response to this alarm, about 100 people were evacuated from Wilf Hall. They were allowed to return about 30 minutes later after the circumstances that provoked the alarm were determined and the alarm was reset.

At this time, Public Safety has no suspects for the incident, Mbugua said.