2008 Woodie Awards
Fire Alarm Sparks Concern
Lisa Sharp
Issue date: 11/18/04 Section: Opinion
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On Nov. 6, unknown individuals discharged fire extinguishers on the ninth and 10th floors of Bohn Hall, causing the fire alarm to activate at 4:15 a.m., a University police report said.
"From what I know, people on two floors had taken fire extinguishers and set them off in the hallways, blocking vision as we ran down the hall," said Elyse Peterson, a freshman geo science major.
Peterson also said that when she opened her door, the fire extinguisher powder was everywhere and that she couldn't breathe without inhaling powder. She also said the students were outside for about two hours.
"It was cold. We were tired, and it wasn't the most pleasant experience in the world," Peterson said. "The clincher was that the next day, another fire alarm went off at 8 a.m."
According to a University police report, the case is still under investigation and the students responsible have not yet been apprehended.
Robert Ferrara, MSU Fire Safety Compliance Coordinator said it is not normal to be outside for two hours during an alarm. [In this case], it took a long time to reset the system. He also said the police were conducting an investigation that could have caused the delay.
Ferrara said that he does not yet have a report about the fire alarm that went off the next morning, but said it was possibly due to the fire extinguisher agent getting into the smoke detectors.
Peterson said, "I think that residence hall fire safety is just that - adequate. After the fire extinguisher incident, they weren't replaced for another two days."
Ferrara said the fire extenguishers are replaced as soon as he is made aware by the RA or a member of his staff. He said that he found out about the incident on Monday Nov. 8, when he returned to work and the extinguishers were replaced that day.
"Thinking back to the Seton Hall fire, I've seen how tragic the outcome can be. It's alarming and terrifying to know that the fire extinguishers were not replaced immediately, said Waleed Miqbel, freshman Bohn Hall resident. "If a fire had broken out, [residents on the 10th floor] would have to wait for someone to help us."
"From what I know, people on two floors had taken fire extinguishers and set them off in the hallways, blocking vision as we ran down the hall," said Elyse Peterson, a freshman geo science major.
Peterson also said that when she opened her door, the fire extinguisher powder was everywhere and that she couldn't breathe without inhaling powder. She also said the students were outside for about two hours.
"It was cold. We were tired, and it wasn't the most pleasant experience in the world," Peterson said. "The clincher was that the next day, another fire alarm went off at 8 a.m."
According to a University police report, the case is still under investigation and the students responsible have not yet been apprehended.
Robert Ferrara, MSU Fire Safety Compliance Coordinator said it is not normal to be outside for two hours during an alarm. [In this case], it took a long time to reset the system. He also said the police were conducting an investigation that could have caused the delay.
Ferrara said that he does not yet have a report about the fire alarm that went off the next morning, but said it was possibly due to the fire extinguisher agent getting into the smoke detectors.
Peterson said, "I think that residence hall fire safety is just that - adequate. After the fire extinguisher incident, they weren't replaced for another two days."
Ferrara said the fire extenguishers are replaced as soon as he is made aware by the RA or a member of his staff. He said that he found out about the incident on Monday Nov. 8, when he returned to work and the extinguishers were replaced that day.
"Thinking back to the Seton Hall fire, I've seen how tragic the outcome can be. It's alarming and terrifying to know that the fire extinguishers were not replaced immediately, said Waleed Miqbel, freshman Bohn Hall resident. "If a fire had broken out, [residents on the 10th floor] would have to wait for someone to help us."