Smoke incident forces students to evacuate Few Saturday night

Multiple emergency vehicles responded to a fire in Few Quad HH Saturday night. 

Larry Moneta, vice president for student affairs, wrote in an email Saturday night that a micro-fridge appeared to be the source of smoke, which triggered the sprinkler system in 25 rooms on three floors. He noted that he was not sure how many students were affected by the event yet.

“The ‘After Disaster’ team is on site clearing smoke and drying the water damage,” he wrote. “HRL staff are tracking down all affected residents and will make alternate housing available for the night for anyone who needs to be relocated. Not sure yet how many students.”

In an email to Few residents, Jessica Coons, residence coordinator for Few Quad, explained the extent of the damage.

"HH 101-106 and 201-206 were most heavily affected," Coons wrote. "The basement of HH and GG were also affected...At this point, it appears that neither FF nor GG are affected; if this changes, I will update you as necessary."

Cleaning will continue into the night and repairs will happen as soon as possible, Moneta wrote.

“Firefighters found the sprinkler system had activated and extinguished a small fire in a dorm room,” said Chris Iannuzzi, deputy chief of the Durham Fire Department in a release.

He added the cause is under investigation but it was not believed to have been intentional.