Sprinkler head break dampens Towers dorm
By Andrew Dowd, The Leader-Telegram, Eau Claire, Wis. | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
Water from the broken sprinkler head on the eighth-floor men's wing of Towers Hall North trickled down through stairwells and through cavities in doorways and windows.
"It worked its way down all the way to the basement," said
Crews started removing water shortly after the rapid leak was discovered at
Though the water mostly affected common areas, Rejto said the university is attempting to help students with personal property that got wet. The Housing and
"We're going to reimburse them for the laundry money," said
The university also is using its equipment to help students remove water from carpets or rugs in their rooms. Several damp mattresses were replaced, Rejto said.
Students were told to check with their parents' homeowners insurance to see if it covers their personal belongings in the dorms.
"It remains to be seen what kind of problems students are going to face with computers and stuff like that," Rejto said.
There appeared to be little damage to the building -- much of it constructed with cinder block -- and its electronics were not affected by the flooding. Aside from soaked carpet that's already being cleaned with industrial equipment, about 25 ceiling tiles on the first floor will have to be replaced, Rejto said.
An official damage estimate has not yet been tallied, he said.
Rejto and Newman said they are unaware of any students displaced Thursday night by the water.
"If anyone didn't stay in their room, it was of their own choosing," Rejto said.
The 10-story dormitory, which consists of separate north and south room towers connected at the ground level by a lobby and common areas, has a capacity of 1,287 students.
All residents were evacuated at about
The sprinkler head appeared to be broken off by students, Newman said.
"It does appear to be an accident," she said.
Dowd can be reached at 715-833-9204, 800-236-7077 or [email protected].
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