Small fire prompts evacuation of Thomas Laboratory

The fire, which took place in a washroom on the first floor, was contained within a small oven used to wash and dry glass lab equipment, University spokeswoman Emily Aronson said in an e-mail.

The fire was reported at 10:30 a.m., and the building’s occupants were evacuated. It was extinguished at 11 a.m., and those evacuated were permitted to re-enter the building before 11:30 a.m.

A staff member saw the fire and pulled a fire alarm in the hallway outside the room, Aronson said. The staff member then notified Public Safety, which arrived immediately, Aronson added, noting that local fire officials also responded.

“After the fire was extinguished, there was still smoke, so people were allowed back in after the smoke was cleared and ventilated,” Aronson explained. She said that damage was contained to the oven and that no injuries were reported.

Faculty and students said that the evacuation proceeded smoothly.

Molecular biology professor Alison Gammie said that “there was a slight odor, but no smoke.”

“It was very calm — no trouble at all,” Gammie said. “It was handled very well.”

Steven Rutherford, a postdoctoral research associate, said the incident “seemed like a fire drill.”