Engineering Hall remains closed following an unintentional fire during routine maintenance work
A fire in Engineering Hall at the University of Wisconsin-Madison has led to the closure of the building and the relocation of classes. The fire, which was determined to be unintentional and occurred during routine maintenance work on an air handling unit, has disrupted work, learning, and research. Efforts are underway to fully reopen Engineering Hall as soon as it is safe to do so. This article provides updates on the situation and its impact on the College of Engineering.
Cleanup: The building remains closed to facilitate clean-up. A separate message has been sent to staff, students, and faculty regarding access to personal belongings and labs. The clean-up process is essential to ensure the safety of everyone in the building.
Courses: All classes scheduled to be in Engineering Hall from Monday to Wednesday leading up to the Thanksgiving recess are being relocated. Detailed information about the arrangements will be provided to instructors and students by the Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning. All other Engineering campus classes will be held as normally scheduled next week.
Cause: The Madison Fire Department’s Investigation Team has determined that the fire was unintentional and occurred during routine maintenance work on an air handling unit in the building. The exact details of how the fire started are still being investigated.
Employees’ Belongings: Employees will be able to retrieve their belongings from Engineering Hall on all floors except the 3rd floor. An escort is required, and employees should meet at Car 31, near 1410 Engineering Hall, at Engineering Drive and N. Randall Ave. This will allow employees to access their personal items under safe conditions.
Impact on Parking: Lot 17, which is typically used by employees, is currently inaccessible. Permit holders are advised to relocate to Lot 7 (Grainger Hall Garage), Lot 20 (University Avenue Ramp), Lot 40, or Lot 41 until further notice. Additional information can be obtained by contacting customerservice@fpm.wisc.edu or calling (608) 263-6667.
Conclusion: The fire at Engineering Hall has caused significant disruption to the College of Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The closure of the building and the relocation of classes have impacted both students and faculty. Efforts are being made to clean up the building and ensure a safe reopening. In the meantime, alternate arrangements are being made to minimize the impact on work, learning, and research. As more information becomes available, updates will be provided to those affected.
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