A fire occurred at a power plant that powers many important cooling systems on campus, according to an ISU Alerts email. With temperatures forecasted to hit 100 degrees this weekend, Iowa State classes will meet virtually.
The email advised that all classes shift to virtual formats for the remainder of Thursday and Friday, with the exception of veterinary medicine classes as their cooling systems are not impacted. All campus activities on Thursday, Aug. 24 are canceled.
According to the forecast by the National Weather Service, heat indexes are expected to reach 109 degrees this evening and the excessive heat warning in Story County lasts through 7 p.m. Thursday.
Students living in on-campus residence halls were told to go home for the weekend if possible. The university claims to be working on plans for assisting students who are unable to find other accommodations for their students.
According to a release from the City of Ames, the fire department responded at 10:44 a.m.
When the fire department arrived, a small fire from malfunctioning equipment had already been extinguished by university staff. During the examination by the fire department, the malfunctioning equipment ignited the connected oil supply, causing a larger fire and more firefighters to be called to the scene.
Everyone evacuated the site safely according to the release. The fire was completely extinguished at 11:42 a.m.
The release came with a comment from Ames Fire Chief Rich Higgins who had this to say:
“This fire was particularly difficult to fight because the situation changed very quickly as the equipment’s operating oil provided a large fuel source,” Higgins said. “Fighting a fire in the lower level of the facility coupled with the exceptionally hot temperatures created challenges, but Ames firefighters did an outstanding job.”
An evening update provided by Iowa State stated two of the four chillers for the cooling system have been fixed. The residence hall air conditioning has been “stabilized.”
The statement also mentions the City of Ames Electrical Department will be providing power on campus until needed repairs are made.
Phinehas | Jan 17, 2024 at 11:20 am
The fire was caused by an enginer who accidently prevented the oil pump from shutting off when the cooling for that pump did still turn off. The oil overheated and eventually cought fire which triggered the catastrophic. the fire caused the cooling to not be able to make enough cooling water to cool campus.
Katie Foster | Aug 24, 2023 at 2:59 pm
Does anyone know if the Freddy court and SUV apartments will be affected?
Mukul Kulkarni | Aug 24, 2023 at 4:11 pm
I know Freddy court will not be affected.