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Fire in Chemistry

Friday 3 February - Update on Fire in Chemistry B Block

As indicated in previous updates, a localised fire affected Chemistry Department B Block on Thursday 2 February.  Everyone was evacuated safely and there were no injuries.
 
Work started today and will continue over the weekend to make the block safe and allow access to contractors.  A detailed investigation of the extent of the damage will be carried out early next week.  This will allow us to assess how quickly we can bring different parts of the block back into operation.
 
Staff from the Chemistry Department and the Estates team are working closely together to match academic needs with available teaching space, drawing on existing contingency plans.  Our aim is to minimise disruption to teaching and research activities as far as possible.
 
Further updates will be issued when more detailed information is available.

17:30 Thursday 2 February – Update

Power has now been restored to Derwith student rooms and to the Chemistry Department, except the affected B-block. Formal handover of B-block from the Fire Brigade to the University is imminent. On Friday 3rd February we will establish which parts of B block we can access and we will also begin to establish how quickly B block can be brought back into use.

Chemistry lectures in A-block will continue as normal. Students have already been informed that laboratory classes scheduled in B-block have been cancelled for Friday. The Head of Department, Professor Richard Taylor, will be speaking personally to as many groups of students as possible tomorrow. If any student or staff member has an immediate concern please email the University Registrar and Secretary, David Duncan, david.duncan@york.ac.uk

At lunchtime today there was a localised fire in part of the B block of the Chemistry department. Undergraduate teaching laboratories and some research laboratories were affected. Everyone was evacuated safely to assembly points. Everything worked as it was supposed to.

The Fire Brigade attended very quickly and did an excellent job as did the Chemistry staff and Health & Safety team. The electricity is currently off in Chemistry and this also is affecting 144 bedrooms in Derwith.

As of 16.45 Thursday 2nd Feb we can confirm that electricity has been safely restored. Any Chemistry students who cannot return to their bed space should contact the Langwith Porter. Any Derwith or Chemistry student affected wishing to get a hot meal tonight and /or breakfast tomorrow should visit the Langwith Porter for a voucher.