Jan. 29--Authorities are investing an early Sunday fire at a University of Wisconsin-La Crosse residence hall that displaced hundreds of students.
Fire crews found a blaze burning in a basement lounge at Drake Hall on Badger Street about 4:25 a.m. All students evacuated and none were injured.
Fire alarms ripped students from their sleep at 4:23 a.m., said freshman 18-year-old Benji Kurtz, who lives on the fourth-floor of the co-ed dorm.
"You could smell smoke on the way out," he said. "Once outside we could see flames in the basement as high as the ceiling."
Twenty-two firefighters fought the blaze that sent smoke throughout the building. There is extensive smoke and water damage in the basement, which does not have a sprinkler system.
The fire destroyed several pieces of furniture and investigators are trying to determine if that's where the blaze started, UW-L Police Chief Scott Rohde said.
The state Fire Marshal's Office is investigating, protocol for a fire in a state building. There were no witnesses to the blaze and the basement does not have security cameras.
"Nothing has been ruled out," Rohde said.
Displaced students spent Sunday morning with friends or in nearby dorms. Police escorted students through the fire-damaged residence hall to gather necessities throughout Sunday.
The hall's 271 residents cannot return until authorities determine deem the building's electrical and heating systems safe, Rohde said. They were told Sunday to pack for at least 24 hours out of their rooms.
University staff arranged for students who aren't able to stay with friends to spend Sunday night in another campus building, director of residence life Nick Nicklaus said.
Most were anxious to return to their rooms after spending Sunday in their pajamas at the university's recreation center passing time with games and television.
"It's been a long morning," said freshman Travis Caese, 18.
See Monday's Tribune or www.lacrossetribune.com for more on this story.
Copyright 2012 - La Crosse Tribune, Wis.
