Fire in Lathrop Hall caused little damage, no injuries

The fire was started by a cell phone charger cord wrapped around a radiator.

By Jewels Phraner

Published Aug. 26, 2008

Early this morning, Lathrop Hall residents woke to fire alarms and flashing lights after a small electrical fire set off smoke detectors.

Columbia Fire Department Battalion Chief Rick Douglas said the fire started after a cell phone charger's cord was caught around part of the room's radiator.

"It was just a fluke," Douglas said.

The fire had nothing to do with the age or condition of the building, he said.

There were no injuries and such minimal damage to the radiator that the residents could return to their room immediately after the incident was resolved, Douglas said.

Residents mostly clothed in pajamas - some without slippers or shoes - were evacuated to the concrete basketball court west of Lathrop Hall by 1:47 a.m. as four fire trucks pulled up to take care of the fire, a number fairly typical of structure fires, Douglas said.

After more than 45 minutes of smoke being cleared from the room, the residents were allowed back to their building by 2:31 a.m., some racing through the building to avoid a wait at the elevators.