A special late night note: Housing Services’s Laundry Fire Experts have issued a diagnosis for the “small fire” that smoked out Quad residents (including SEAS prospies) on Friday night. “The fire was caused by an overload of clothing in one of the dryers. Many of the items in the dryer were synthetic, which compounded the problem. Synthetic articles, like nylon, should never be placed in a high temperature dryer.” 

Taking advantage of the email to offer even more safety tips, Housing also reminds LLC residents to “please follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on how to properly launder and dry your clothing. Do not place flammable items in the dryers.” And, just to cover all the bases, “please remember to empty the lint screen between each dryer cycle.” You have been warned.

As for the aftermath, “Housing Services has removed all of the machines and is currently working with Facilities to provide the cleanup.  The laundry room in Hartley will be closed until Monday, April 27. In the meantime, the laundry room in John Jay Hall is available for use.” At least it’s good exercise! Full email after the jump.

– JCD, picture by DJB

Dear Hartley and Wallach Residents,

As many of you may already know, there was a small fire in one of the dryers in the Hartley laundry room on Friday night.  The fire was contained and promptly put out. No one was injured.

The fire was caused by an overload of clothing in one of the dryers. Many of the items in the dryer were synthetic, which compounded the problem. Synthetic articles, like nylon, should never be placed in a high temperature dryer.

To avoid future incidents, do not overload the dryers.  Overloading is a fire hazard, and it does not allow your clothing to dry properly.  In addition, please follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on how to properly launder and dry your clothing. Do not place flammable items in the dryers.  Also, please remember to empty the lint screen between each dryer cycle.

In order to repair the equipment and laundry room, Housing Services has removed all of the machines and is currently working with Facilities to provide the cleanup.  The laundry room in Hartley will be closed until Monday, April 27. In the meantime, the laundry room in John Jay Hall is available for use.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation.  Please let us know if you have any questions by emailing housing@columbia.edu.

Regards,

Housing Services