A grease fire caused the evacuation of residents of Washington Hall in Southeast Community College, Beatrice.
This past Monday, Oct. 20, at about 9:30 in the evening, the fire alarm was activated in Washington Hall, leading the housing staff to evacuate the building.
A student said she was going to fry chicken, so she placed a pan with oil on the stove.
Residential Services Manager Lacey Jurgens said, “The student left her room for about three minutes, and as she was walking back, she saw smoke coming out of room door. She walked in promptly, and as she saw the fire, she threw water to try to put it out.”
Jonah Jordening, the assistant residential services manager continued the story, “A resident from another room grabbed one of the fire extinguisher from the hall and sprayed it, putting out the fire as the sprinklers system kicked on to finish the job.”
Beatrice Fire Department and Rescue showed up soon after the fire alarm went off.
The residential service manager and their team of RA’s handled the situation with the cooperation of the students to avoid injuries.
Damages were mostly caused by water and smoke, affecting only the room on the second floor where accident happened and part of the first floor where the Washington Hall Lobby is.
The estimated cost of the damage is $30,000.
Because of the smoke and the water damages, the residents of the east side of Washington Hall were taken to a hotel until the next day.
The residents of the room where the fire happened have been placed in different rooms until damages are repaired.