Blaze In Building On UCR Campus Prompts Hazmat Cleanup

RIVERSIDE, CA — A fire that broke out Thursday in a building in the middle of the UC Riverside campus was quickly contained, but a hazardous materials cleanup was initiated due to flames reaching a supply of undisclosed chemicals.

The non-injury two-alarm blaze was reported about 2:25 p.m. Thursday on one of the floors of the Engineering Building, located near the intersection of Aberdeen and North Campus drives, according to the Riverside Fire Department.

The agency said that multiple engine and ladder crews were sent to the campus and encountered smoke originating from a lower floor, from which all students and staff safely evacuated.

Firefighters immediately accessed the laboratory space where the blaze started, fully extinguishing it by 2:45 p.m., according to officials at the scene.

A hazmat unit was summoned because chemicals in the lab were exposed to the flames, though it was unclear whether any of the chemicals actually caught fire. The specific materials impacted were not provided.

None of the surrounding buildings was evacuated.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

—City News Service