Update Box Alarm 4400 Mass Ave NW American U. Underground transformer actively burning. Pepco requested. Protective hoselines in place. 3 adjacent dormitories evacuated as a precaution. No injuries. pic.twitter.com/hDXX6bBx6G
— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) September 29, 2018
Update @AmericanU transformer fire. No injuries and no extension into any building. Pepco on scene. We continue to monitor the adjacent buildings. Fire still burning. pic.twitter.com/wyhTpGm0Iu
— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) September 29, 2018
Update @AmericanU transformer fire. @PepcoConnect has confirmed power shutdown and #DCsBravest are extinguishing the fire. No injuries. pic.twitter.com/5MUkvUHD0K
— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) September 29, 2018
Update @AmericanU transformer fire. #DCsBravest have extinguished the fire and incident under control. We are releasing additional units. There have been no injuries. pic.twitter.com/AlWT8DvzTs
— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) September 29, 2018
WASHINGTON — Students have no Wi-Fi, limited electricity and are being advised to not use dormitory bathrooms after an underground fire at American University led to a campus-wide evacuation for hours on Saturday morning.
D.C. Fire and Pepco crews responded to a burning subterranean transformer near AU’s Hughes Hall around 8 a.m. All students on the main campus were evacuated to the quad, as fire officials worked to contain flames leaping from underground with smoke billowing over residence halls.
The fire was extinguished shortly after 10 a.m. As a precaution, the majority of AU’s students were moved across Nebraska Avenue to nearby east campus, and university officials said buildings were being assessed for reoccupation. The fire did not spread to nearby residence halls.
Students were able to re-enter Hughes Hall around 1:46 p.m. Saturday. The university said not all power outlets were operational and that, while the water is usable, it’s still low in the bathrooms.
Some buildings, including Hughes Hall, are also running on emergency power with limited services, the university said.
No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire was unclear. Classes on main campus were canceled for the rest of the day.
The university is providing food service until 7 p.m. at the Washington College of Law for residential and displaced students.
A video tweeted by D.C. fire showed the flames:
Update Box Alarm 4400 Mass Ave NW American U. Underground transformer actively burning. Pepco requested. Protective hoselines in place. 3 adjacent dormitories evacuated as a precaution. No injuries. pic.twitter.com/hDXX6bBx6G
— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) September 29, 2018
