WFD in the News

06/07/07
Experiment sparks blaze at Brandeis
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Waltham -A science experiment gone wrong sent one Brandeis police officer to hospital last night after a fire broke out in a university science laboratory at the school's South Street campus.

Photo by Peter Lobo Firefighter's assist a Brandeis police officer who suffered chemical and smoke inhalation.

According to Fire Department Deputy Chief Michael Quinn, a group of students was conducting an experiment when an electrical short in a piece of equipment ignited silicone oil, causing the fire.

Waltham firefighters and police officers were called to the school just after 8 last night to extinguish the fire and evacuated and ventilated the building.

During the fire, one Brandeis police officer suffered from smoke and chemical vapor inhalation and was taken to Newton-Wellesley Hospital.

Quinn said a group of students and one assistant professor were working on the experiment at the time of the fire.

"The fire was contained to the workstation," he said. "Four trucks responded along with the shift commander. The building was evacuated and ventilated."

Story from the Daily news Tribune on Thu Jun 07, 2007, By Jeff Gilbride/Daily News staff