Four fires in on-campus accommodation last year

Four fires occurred in on-campus accommodation during the academic year 2015-2016, a Freedom of Information (FoI) request by the Boar has revealed.

Westwood, Rootes, Bluebell, and Claycroft were faced with one accidental fire incident each during the last academic year. The causes of the fires were determined to be not only unattended cooking and toasters, but also a paper folder that was left dangerously close to a hob.

This follows news that between 2013-14 and 2015-16, 482 ambulances were called to campus.

Additionally, one fire in off-campus university managed accommodation was reported to the accommodation team, its cause being grease around hobs catching fire. However, there could be more incidents that the University was not made aware of, because students and fire services can handle such cases without the need to notify the University.

When asked about electrical faults reported in on and off campus accommodation, the University was not able to give the proportion of the total 28,500 reported faults throughout the academic year 2015-2016.

Chloe Boehm, a History and Politics first-year who resides in Westwood, commented that knowing that there was a fire in her halls last year has given her strong incentive to follow the University’s fire safety tips, such as keeping the toaster away from underneath kitchen cupboards.

She added that she feels safe from the risk of fire on campus, noting: “The University has done everything it can to provide fire safety – the rest is up to us students as (relatively) responsible adults.”

Chloe also commented that such incidents: “seem inevitable when you pair first time cookers, the occasional bit of alcohol, and kitchen equipment together.”

The University places great importance on awareness and alertness about fire safety, with clear tips and instructions provided in the Residence Handbook to all first-year students, instructing them, and encouraging them to take the Accommodation Induction quiz on Moodle at the beginning of the year.

Residential halls are equipped with fire doors and detectors and fire alarms are tested on a weekly basis, with fire drills taking part at the start of the academic year in every hall of residence.

The University also provides a clear response plan in the event of a fire on campus, with trained staff members designated roles such as Fire Warden, Local Incident Response Team and Security Controller.

In the case of a fire, students should call the Campus Security emergency number (024 7652 2222) rather than the emergency services directly, as this allows them to escort responding emergency vehicles and avoid delays.