Update on damage to Walker Hall | 6-15-12
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| Pani |
Shortly after 10 o’clock on the morning of June 12, police and firefighters responded to reports of a fire in George T. Walker Hall, (formerly known as the administration building) on the University of Louisiana at Monroe campus. The building was safely evacuated, and the fire was under control less than forty-five minutes later.
The investigation process is ongoing, but the many displaced classes and offices were relocated in a matter of hours. Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Eric Pani has more information on the extent of the damage and the resiliency of ULM personnel in coping with the fire.
UPDATE June 19: ULM has established a page for updates on the status of Walker Hall.
Background:
On Tuesday, June 12, everyone was safely evacuated from George T. Walker Hall following a fire that began at 10:06 a.m. and was under control by 10:45 a.m. ULM Police Department, Monroe Fire, and Monroe Police immediately responded to the scene.
On Tuesday, June 12, everyone was safely evacuated from George T. Walker Hall following a fire that began at 10:06 a.m. and was under control by 10:45 a.m. ULM Police Department, Monroe Fire, and Monroe Police immediately responded to the scene.
ULM police activated First Call, ULM's emergency notification system. Manual fire alarms were also activated at the start of the fire. The facility meets all fire safety codes.
Shortly after the fire began, ULM's Computing Center, located in Walker Hall, deactivated all computing services to prevent potential damage. Thus, Internet, e-mail, and access to online classes were not active until approximately 5 p.m. on Tuesday.
All of ULM's primary computing services are now active. This includes ULM employee and student e-mail, Banner, ULM's web site, ULM's mobile app, the myULM portal, and more.
Fire Source & Damages:
Officials are still investigating how the fire began; they have not yet determined the official cause. It appears the fire started in a custodial storage closet on the first floor of George T. Walker Hall.
Officials are still investigating how the fire began; they have not yet determined the official cause. It appears the fire started in a custodial storage closet on the first floor of George T. Walker Hall.
UPDATE June 18, 4:53 p.m.: Chief Fire Investigator David M. Hill released a statement:
"The fire originated in the northeast corner of Room I-97. I am unable to rule out an energized stove top located in that area. Damage reviewed in this area is consistent with the energized stove top igniting common combustibles that were stored in the proximity. It is my expert opinion that this was the cause of this fire. This fire is non-incendiary in nature."
The building is closed, and no one is allowed to enter the building without an official escort. There is not a conclusive financial estimate of damages or a conclusive estimate of structural damages. Structural and electrical engineers are currently investigating the building.
George T. Walker Hall will be closed through the fall semester. The length of the building closure is contingent upon collaborations with state agencies, many of which will help facilitate the design and construction.
UPDATE June 18: Executive Vice President Stephen Richters says the building will be closed for the 2012-13 academic year due to structural damage to the supports of the second floor above the fire.
George T. Walker Hall Functions
George T. Walker Hall housed several departments within the College of Arts & Sciences — mathematics, English, and criminal justice.
George T. Walker Hall housed several departments within the College of Arts & Sciences — mathematics, English, and criminal justice.
Also housed in this building were the Graduate School, Financial Aid, the Registrar, the Computing Center, Sponsored Programs and Research, the Copy Center, and the Small Business Development Center.
New class locations:
All Summer I courses scheduled to meet in George T. Walker Hall have been relocated for the remainder of the term. Please visit moodle.ulm.edu for new meeting locations.
All Summer I courses scheduled to meet in George T. Walker Hall have been relocated for the remainder of the term. Please visit moodle.ulm.edu for new meeting locations.
Air Date:
Fri, 06/15/2012