Suspected fire forces evacuation, no residents hurt
By NOREEN GILLESPIE
News Writer
A suspected fire forced the evacuation of nearly 150 Holy Cross Hall residents Monday evening after a resident reported seeing smoke in a basement shower stall.
A blown fan motor in a section of duct work filled the south basement bathroom with smoke, said Notre Dame fire chief John Antonucci. Notre Dame Fire Department was the first to respond to the call at approximately 9:10 Monday evening and found hazy smoke in the bathroom but no flames upon responding, members of the battalion said.
Seven fire trucks and one ambulance responded to the call, including members of the South Bend Fire Department.
"[The smoke] pretty much contained itself by the time we got here," said South Bend Fire Department battalion chief Chico Rodriguez. "It was just a smoke scare."
Holy Cross resident Jame Roark was showering in the south basement bathroom when she heard the fan backfire and saw the room fill with smoke.
"I was washing my hair, and I heard a zap noise," Roark said.
"The room was filled with smoke, and it was becoming almost like a haze. I couldn't see the rest of the bathroom."
Roark escaped unharmed, and notified neighbors on the basement floor of the dorm to contact Saint Mary's security. No residents were injured, but one security officer was treated for smoke inhalation, according to Holy Cross hall director Laura Sobiek.
Residents were allowed back in the building at 9:55 p.m., and Saint Mary's physical plant personnel were examining the fan motor after the fire battalions left campus.
All News Stories for Tuesday, March 20, 2001
