The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

September 30, 2008

Fire at Concord dorm quickly controlled

By Fred Pace

Officials said a Monday afternoon fire that led to the evacuation of a dorm on the Athens campus of Concord University did no damage to the building.

“Each floor took in a little smoke, but there was absolutely no damage to the building at all,” Housing and Residents Life Director Rick Dillon said. “Students were evacuated at 4:30 p.m. Monday and back in the building at 6:45 p.m.”

The fire broke out in a trash chute on the bottom floor of the 10-story building about 4:30 p.m., Dillon said.

“The fire alarm system worked perfectly,” he said. “The students were evacuated and firefighters brought the fire under control immediately.”

Dillon said there was some clean-up to the building.

“We had some water and contents of fire extinguishers we had to clean up, but that was it,” he said.

Dillon said firefighters used high-powered fans to rid the building of smoke.

“Once we got the all-clear, the fire alarms were reset, tested and students were allowed back into the dorm,” he said

— E-mail: fpace@register-herald.com