Hundreds evacuated from 726 Broadway during lunch hour
February 19, 2010
by Andres Gutierrez
Hundreds of people were evacuated for nearly an hour on Friday as a fire tore through the site of the university's new registrar's office and human resources department.
The call came in around noon and more than 100 firefighters responded to the 8th floor of 726 Broadway, according to fire officials.
When firefighters arrived on the scene they faced heavy smoke conditions and it took more than 40 minutes to get the blaze under control. Fire marshals say there are no reported injuries and they are still investigating the cause.
According to NYU spokesperson John Beckman, the blaze ignited in an area of the floor that was under renovation.
The overall floor did not sustain substantial fire damage; however, most of the damage came from the water sprinkler system used to douse the flames, Beckman said.
Shortly after the all-clear was given, students and staff were allowed to go back into the building, with the exception of those working on the 8th and 9th floors who were sent home for the day.
The fire has put a dent into the university's moving plans.
The registrar's office, which had been been located in the Fairchild Building for a number of years was planning to move into their new offices on 8th floor on Monday, but according the university those plans will be delayed.
Students who require services from the regristar's office should continue to visit 7 E. 12th street till Thursday.
Meanwhile, the human resources office, scheduled to move into 726 Broadway on Friday will not be affected.
The building is one of the university's recent building acquisitions, being purchased back in Dec. 2008 for $210 million.
Andres Gutierrez is a staff writer.