A fire has broken out at Barnard dorm 600 West 116th Street. New York fire department is currently on the scene, and the building has been evacuated. A tip reports that smoke reaches all the way to 121st and Broadway and the entire quad is now being evacuated into Lefrak gymnasium. Email tips@bwog.com if you have any additional information about this emergency, and follow Twitter for information as it comes.

Please remember this is a serious incident thus everyone should exercise caution in the area. Students should feel safe going to Lefrak if they live in the area/the quad.

Update: 11:27 PM: “Ollie’s Broadway walls burst, with shrapnel hitting bystanders. Spectators closed off from Broadway 115-116.”

Update: 11:33 PM

Update: 11:36 PM: Video of the fire courtesy of David Pincus

Update: 11:51 PM: According to a tipster living in Elliot Hall, RAs in the dorm have been telling residents that students living in 600 and the Quad will have to sleep in Lefrak gym tonight. Elliott is offering up lounges/floor space to alleviate crowding in Lefrak.

Update: 11:53 PM: A spreadsheet has now begun circulating amongst Barnard students offering temporary housing for students living in 600. If you are willing to offer up space for the displaced students, you can find the Google Doc here.

Update: 12:10 AM: All residents of the Barnard Quad have been let back into the dorms.

Update: 12:24 AM: Email sent to residents of 600 from Director of ResLife Ann Aversa below:

Update: 1:13 AM: The fire is officially under control. Separately, one Barnard RA reminds us: “Lounges in all Barnard buildings are open to residents and residents are encouraged to find housing for the night as it is unlikely for the building to open until much later.”

Update: 10:45 AM: The following email was sent to all Barnard students from President Debora Spar and Dean Avis Hinkson in regards to last night’s fire. The letter states that residents of 600 were allowed back into the dorm at 8:00 AM this morning. Read the full email below.

Dear members of the Barnard Community,

This morning we are extremely thankful that everyone is safe following last night’s fire in 600. As of 8 a.m. this morning, residents were allowed to re-enter the building. The Facilities staff is working with Con Edison to restore heat, hot water, and gas to the building.

We know that many of you are exhausted and overwhelmed from this frightening experience, and that your routines have been significantly disrupted. If you have concerns that you want to discuss about your classes or assignments, please be in touch with your class dean.

The three students who were taken to the hospital were treated and released. If any additional students are in need of medical treatment or emotional support, remember that the staffs of Barnard Primary Care Health Services or Furman Counseling Center are available to help.

Many thanks are due to staff members in Residential Life, Public Safety, and Facilities, who worked through the night to ensure the safety of our students and to help ready the building to open first thing this morning.  We are also grateful to the many students who offered their classmates from 600 support and a place to stay.

Additionally, as work continues to restore the building to its normal conditions, we are deeply appreciative of the patience and understanding of our students who are displaced. We are committed to making your residence fully available to you as soon as possible, and will continue to provide updates as more information is available.

Sincerely,

President Spar
Dean Hinkson