Sue Loughlin
Special to the Tribune-Star
ST. MARY-OF-THE-WOODS —
A fire at St. Mary-of-the-Woods College that damaged a basement storage area and a first-floor office Tuesday in Guerin Hall was electrical in nature, fire investigators have determined.
“We found a light fixture had shorted out,” said James Holbert, fire chief with the Sugar Creek Fire Department.
The fire started in a basement storage area and then spread into a graduate studies office on the first floor. There were some holes in the floor, which was concrete and had wood and carpeting on top, Holbert said. The wood and carpet caught fire.
No one was injured, and firefighters quickly had the fire out. It started about 12:30 p.m.
Smoke traveled through an elevator shaft to the rest of the four-story building. Guerin Hall, which is 97 years old, was evacuated and all offices, classes and residents were relocated to other buildings. Four students lived in the upper floors.
Dee Reed, the Woods’ executive director of college relations, said there was minimal damage to the building. Fire was contained to the basement and the graduate studies office above it.
“We anticipate everyone will remain in the relocated areas for three to four weeks,” she said. Cleanup efforts began Wednesday.
It appears the electrical problem was isolated to where the fire started, she said.
“We are very grateful no one was hurt and for firefighters who responded so quickly,” Reed said.
Sue Loughlin can be reached at (812) 231-4235 or sue.loughlin@tribstar.com.
