Dryer Fire Forces Students Out of Dorm

Dozens of Bethune-Cookman University coeds are still waking up in new rooms on campus after a fire last month in the residence halls forced them out of Thompson and Moore halls.

School officials relocated about 135 female students after an electric dryer caught fire on the third floor of the residential halls in the campus LLC Complex on January 14. The sprinkler system was activated, flooding all three floors.

“I think that there should be more signage in our dorms on how to do your laundry and clean out the dryers, because not everyone that comes to campus know how to do their laundry,” B-CU senior Tyra Robinson said.

No injuries were reported and everyone evacuated safely, but the building suffered extensive internal water damage. Students took the incident to social media, reporting that the buildings and ceiling collapsed, but the postings of more serious damage were incorrect.

photo by Justin Lagon, B-CU student.

B-CU spokeswoman Sara Brady said the building remains intact and suffered primarily water damage to several locations. “Uninformed social media postings of

more serious damage were incorrect; the building nor its ceiling collapsed,” Brady said

in a statement.

Restoration of the building began early the next morning. Numerous student organizations, athletes, parents, alumni and students volunteered to assist in relocating students to other residence halls on campus.

photo by Justin Lagon, B-CU student.

Thompson and Moore Halls were inspected by First Choice Services (FCS), a restoration

services provider, Facilities Management, and Campus Safety before students were allowed

to reenter. FCS began to remove water and ceiling tiles that were damaged from the fire sprinkler system, as well as working to restore power and to back pump the elevator shafts.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, 2,900 home clothes dryer fires are reported each year and cause an estimated five deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property damage. The leading cause of clothes dryer fires or 34 percent is failure to clean out the dryer vent. More clothes dryer fires occur in the fall and winter months, peaking in January.

Currently, dehumidifiers and air scrubbers are being used to dry the building. All students were relocated to different residence halls and received bed linen, towels, and toiletries to help with their personal needs. There are no current details on how long students will be relocated, or if it will be for the remainder of the Spring semester.

Did You Know?

■ An estimated 2,900 clothes dryer fires in residential buildings are reported to U.S. fire departments each year and cause an estimated 5 deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property loss.

■ Clothes dryer fire incidence in residential buildings was higher in the fall and winter months, peaking in January at 11 percent.

■ Failure to clean (34 percent) was the leading factor contributing to the ignition of clothes dryer fires in residential buildings.

■ Dust, fiber, and lint (28 percent) and clothing not on a person (27 percent) were, by far, the leading items first ignited in clothes dryer fires in residential buildings.

■ Fifty-four percent of clothes dryer fires in residential buildings were confined to the object of origin.