Residence hall reopens after early-morning fire

No injuries result from fire outside Franklin Hall

PAUL SMITHS, NY (03/21/2012)(readMedia)-- A residence hall at Paul Smith's College reopened on Wednesday after an early-morning fire forced its evacuation.

Nobody was hurt in the fire, which was located on an exterior wall of Franklin Hall. The room nearest the fire sustained minor damage and remains closed.

The college's Office of Campus Safety received notification around 12:30 a.m. that a carbon monoxide detector in Franklin Hall had activated. Two campus officers, Chad Bryant and Shelby Warner, responded, and saw a small fire outside a first-floor window in the residence hall.

Bryant ordered the building evacuated, pulled a fire alarm and put out the flames with a fire extinguisher. Volunteers with the Paul Smiths-Gabriels Volunteer Fire Department arrived about 15 minutes later and ensured the fire had not spread.

The scene was cleared by 3 a.m. New York State Police are investigating the origin of the fire.

"Our officers did a great job making sure this situation didn't have a worse ending," said Phil Fiacco, director of campus safety at Paul Smith's College. "Their quick response helped keep a potentially dangerous situation in check. We're also thankful for the quick response by the Paul Smiths-Gabriels Volunteer Fire Department and New York State Police."

The building's 46 residents were relocated elsewhere on campus for the night. The student who lives in the room that remains closed will be temporarily relocated.