No injuries in fire at West Quadrangle

West Quadrangle

ANN ARBOR—A fire on the roof of West Quadrangle, a residence hall at the University of Michigan, led to the evacuation of West Quad and the adjacent Michigan Union late this afternoon (Aug. 7). No one was injured in the fire, which was brought under control within 30 minutes.

[Map of Central Campus, West Quad lower left]

The building is currently being used to lodge about 110 upper-elementary- through high-school-age attendees at U-M’s hockey camp and about 30 football players who will be first-year students at U-M in the fall. The campers and the student athletes were away from the building at the time of the fire.

“All of our staff took this very seriously and responded quickly to ensure the safety of the campers,” said U-M Provost Nancy Cantor, who was on the scene shortly after the fire was reported. “I am gratified at the response of the Ann Arbor Fire Department and U-M staff in the Department of Public Safety, Plant Services, Housing and the Department of Athletics.

“We will work as quickly as possible to get campers back into West Quad or to find alternate housing for them if necessary.”

Cantor said Royster Harper, U-M vice president for student affairs, and her staff are in the process of calling the parents of all students to let them know their children are safe. Parents of campers who have questions can call (734) 764-5297.

The fire was called in about 4:30 p.m. to the Ann Arbor Fire Department, which responded within four minutes. The blaze, which was confined to the roof, was brought under control at 5:05 p.m. The Ann Arbor Fire Department, U-M Department of Public Safety and Risk Management are investigating the cause. Damage estimates are not yet available.

West Quad, located at the corner of Madison and Thompson streets, was built in 1937. It houses about 900 students during the regular academic year. Fall semester classes begin Sept. 6, and student move-in is scheduled to begin Aug. 30.

Pager: (734) 651-0100orJulie PetersonPager: (888) 932-3901

West QuadrangleMap of Central CampusNancy Cantorstudent affairsRisk Management