Simultaneous Emergencies Break Out at UConn Tuesday

STORRS, CT — University of Connecticut Fire Department crews responded to two concurrent emergencies at the Storrs campus on Tuesday that required mutual aid from the Willimantic, Willington, and Coventry Fire Departments.

No serious injuries were reported, but the campus was quite busy, UConn officials said.

In the first incident, UConn Fire received a call shortly before noon of a natural gas odor in the Crandall Residence Hall in the Hilltop complex. Initial air testing showed unusual — but not immediately hazardous — readings, so the building was evacuated while further investigation was conducted, UConn sokeswman Stephanie Reitz said.

Crews from the Willimantic Fire Department, Coventry Fire Department, and an ambulance from Willington were requested to assist as a precaution, she said.

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Members of UConn police, facilities, transportation services, and residential life departments were requested as well, Reitz said. While subsequent air testing showed normal readings, occupants remained evacuated while crews verified the safety and functioning of the building.

As the incident at Crandall was ongoing, the UConn Public Safety Communications Center, already handling increased activity, received a separate call around 12:30 p.m. that a person in a lab across campus had splashed a small amount of a chemical into an eye. More UConn Fire Department personnel were then dispatched to the chemistry building, Reitz said.

Willimantic Fire Department’s truck and Willington’s ambulance were re-directed there to assist UConn, while Coventry Fire covered the fire station and other UConn crews remained at the evacuated dorm.

The student at the chemistry lab was taken to Windham Hospital as a precaution, but is expected to be "fine," Reitz said.

No chemicals were spilled and that building wasn’t evacuated, and the scene was cleared around 1 p.m., she said.

No injuries or illnesses were reported at the Crandall dorm, which was reopened shortly after 1 p.m., she said.

Photo Credit: UConn