Classes cancelled Monday due to Owens fire
Tuesday, August 17, 2010 at 3:33PM By Tiffany Barkley
All on-campus classes are cancelled for Monday. Classes and offices located in Owensand Bancroft are being moved to other locations beginning Tuesday and for the rest ofthe semester.
Firefighters continue to work at Owens Sunday morning as the roof still smolders.Firefighters continue to work at the scene of a fire that destroyed the roof of Owens. Acces to Bancroft Hall, Owens Hall and the Bancroft Annex will not be allowed until damage and utility assessments are completed, according to a press release from the university.
Officials expect Kinard to be open Tuesday.
Students and faculty can check the online course schedule after 5 p.m. today to see the new location for any classes that were meeting in Owens Hall or Bancroft Hall.
Faculty whose offices are in the affected buildings will be notified about when they can get their materials. All staff should report to work Monday unless their work spaces are in Owens Hall, Bancroft Hall or the Bancroft Annex, according to the press release.
Monday will count as a study day for students. The university said it will work through any disruptions in mid-term exams because of the fire.
The West Center and Dinkins Student Center will be open as usual Monday.
The cause of the fire is still unknown.
Firefighters returned to the roof Sunday morning as smoke continued to smolder through the multi-layer roofing system. Fire trucks sprayed Owens from the east and west sides last night to stop the fire from spreading. They also sprayed the roof of the Bancroft Annex to stop the fire from spreading there.
Volunteer firefighters assisted city firefighters throughout the night. One firefighter was treated last night for injuries suffered from a fall on the steps inside Owens. He is doing well, according to the press release.
University officials cannot finalize the damage estimates until firefighters clear the scene. They said they expect much of the interior of Owens will have to be replaced due to smoke and water damage. The roof will also have to be replaced.
Campus police still have areas on campus blocked with caution tape. One officer reported that he is having trouble keeping students away from Scholar's Walk, Bancroft and Kinard. Any area blocked with red and yellow tape is unsafe, he said.
