Students evacuated in chemistry laboratory blaze (From The Northern Echo)

Students evacuated in chemistry laboratory blaze

4:55pm Thursday 2nd February 2012 in Bedale News By Emily Flanagan, Reporter

HUNDREDS of people had to be evacuated when a major blaze broke out at university chemistry laboratories.

Six fire engines were called to tackle the fire at the York University chemistry block on Alcuin Way, Heslington yesterday afternoon.

The alarm was raised at 12.45pm, when smoke was spotted coming from the roof of the department’s B-block, which houses teaching laboratories.

The fire is believed to have started in a chemical fumes cabinet and then spread through the building, prompting 400 people to be evacuated.

A spokeswoman for the university said the department acted to put special safety procedures for the laboratories in place, as they house a wide range of chemicals. Gas supplies to the rooms were also isolated.

A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “The university has put in place the emergency plans they have for incidents like this.”

Fire investigator Trevor Lund said there were some ‘quite challenging’ chemicals in the building, but gave credit to staff at the site for isolating the majority of the major fire risks and providing fire crews with instructions about the risks involved.

The fire was brought under control by about 3pm.

A spokeswoman for the university said it was mainly teaching laboratories and research laboratories which were affected.

But the fire had left 144 student bedrooms in the Derwith block without electicity.

She said: “We are waiting on confirmation that electricity has been safely restored. If not, we will provide alternative accommodation and food at restaurants at campus.

“We are communicating with students via digital screens across campus, the website and social media.”