Fire out at Hamilton complex, students returning

Smoke alarms in the Hamilton Housing Complex went off just before 11 a.m. this morning.

UOPD officers immediately began evacuating the complex while the Eugene Fire Department responded to the call.  A small fire was discovered in a janitor's closet in the basement of the Dunn Residence Hall (Dunn is one of ten residence halls that make up the Hamilton Complex).  Firefighters were on the scene at 10:57 and they had the fire extinguished by 11:13 a.m.  The fire was confined to a custodial storage area although smoke filled the stairwell of Dunn.

By 11:40 a.m., Eugene Fire reopened the Hamilton Complex with the exception of the Dunn Residence Hall.  The Hamilton Complex houses nearly 800 students.  Dunn Hall is home to 48 residents.

By 1:05 p.m., Dunn had reopened for student access, except the basement. Firefighters vented smoke from the building and fire investigators were on scene.

The Eugene Fire Department initially responded to the call with five engines, two ladder trucks, two district chiefs, a medic unit and the Eugene Fire Marshal.  In all, 26 people were on the scene.  Most of the fire apparatus returned to their stations once the fire was extinguished.  

No injuries were reported and damage to the basement is minimal.

Located on the eastern edge of campus across from Bean, Hamilton is a complex of 10 smaller halls housing nearly 800 students.