Fire
wakes Hudson residents
Holly
Anne Bellis, posted Sept. 28, 2006
Imagine
that it’s just short of 3 a.m. and in the distance,
a fire alarm sounds. Panic spreads and the residence hall
floor is filled with complete chaos. This was exactly what
Hudson residents awoke to early on Sunday morning.
The Columbia Police Department evacuated every resident of
Hudson residence hall and checked to make sure that the fire
had been extinguished. An announcement posted by the MU Department
of Residential Life states, “Prior to allowing residents
to return to the residence hall, Residential Life Housing
Operations staff ventilated the affected area and checked
the fire alarm system.”
Mallory Odneal, seventh floor Hudson fire marshal, said, “At
the time, I wasn’t very happy but looking back, I met
some new people. I made sure that I knocked on everyone’s
door and I think that everything was handled very efficiently.”
This was Mallory’s first fire alarm as the newly elected
fire marshal.
According to the announcement, the fire started on the second
floor. Stephen Bandoh, a resident in the room where the fire
began, said, “I think it was kind of funny, although
I am sorry to inconvenience anyone.” Residents of Hudson
feel as if it was an accident, however, they were not allowed
back into their rooms until three hours later, which caused
some controversy. When asked if he had any advice to pass
onto others, Bandoh stated, “Don’t leave your
microwave on when you’re out of the room.”
The announcement goes on to say that the residents of Hudson
were very cooperative and followed the evacuation procedures
properly. At approximately 5:35 a.m., students were allowed
back into their rooms. There were no injuries and no damage
other than to the microwave.
