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The Student News Site of Saint Louis University

The University News

The Student News Site of Saint Louis University

The University News

Fire Flares Up In Griesedieck Complex

An electrical short on the third floor is the suspected cause of a fire in Griesedieck Hall Monday afternoon.

“We think it’s electrical, but we’ll have to have the fire investigators look at it closer,” said Stanley Newsome, St. Louis Deputy Fire Chief.

The fire began when the electrical wiring ignited four ceiling tiles being stored in a locked closet on the west end of the third floor. Smoke from the fire triggered the building’s alarm at 2:38 p.m.

“As I was walking out after the alarm, I smelled smoke,” said fourth floor resident Nathan Braughn.

The electrical fire also knocked out the power in the Griesedieck tower.

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“There was a loud pop, and then the power went out,” said sophomore Laura Andounian.

“We saw a little bit of smoke, and it was right by the door to Clemens [Hall] and the stairwell,” said Griesedieck resident Moira Pyle said.

One of the first to respond to the alarm was public safety officer Keith Meyers. With the help of a maintenance worker on duty, Meyers extinguished the flames before fire crews arrived.

“He’s a very conscientious young man,” Director of Public Safety Jack Titone said.

In fighting the fire, Meyers injured his hand. Meyer’s injuries were the only ones incurred during the incident.

“It was real dark up there, and in his haste, he punched his hand through the glass [to get the fire extinguisher],” Titone said.

All residents of the Griesedieck Complex were evacuated in a matter of three to four minutes.

“Everyone got out of the building in three minutes flat,” Newsome said.

“I thought [the department of] residence life did an excellent job,” Titone said. “Within three or four minutes the building was evacuated in an orderly manner. I think the drills that were done in the past really paid off.”

The evacuated residents were then directed to either the soccer practice field near the Billiken Sports Complex or to the Simon Recreation Center.

“Everybody out here thought it was a drill,” sophomore Dana Vohsen said.

“All I know is that the alarm went off, and we kept asking each other, ‘Is this real?” freshman Kimberly Dean added.

Most students remained outside the west end of Pius XII Memorial Library awaiting word as to when they would be let back in the building.

“We were very lucky that this was in the afternoon, not at 2 in the morning or in the rain,” said Leonard Jones, Director of Residence Life.

Around 5 p.m. Department of Public Safety officers began escorting Griesedieck Hall residents to their rooms to pick up essential items for the evening.

At the time, the Department of Residence Life was unsure that residents would be allowed back in the building that same night.

“All the students were really concerned, and we kept them posted of any developments,” Titone said.

While AmerenUE repaired the electricity in the building, the Department of Residence Life was working to develop an alternative plan to house students overnight.

“Thank God we didn’t have to use that plan,” Jones said.

AmerenUE restored electricity by 7:15 p.m. and by 7:30, students were allowed to return to the building.

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