Roof of Carson Engineering Center catches fire

By Julianna Parker

January 14, 2009 04:20 am

— A small fire started on the roof of Carson Engineering Center on the University of Oklahoma campus at about 1 p.m. Tuesday but was quickly brought under control.
It was extinguished even before the Norman Fire Department arrived, presumably by the crew that was re-roofing the building, assistant fire chief Bob Bledsoe said.
"We're just going to ensure it's out and stays out," he said shortly after he arrived on the scene.
Witnesses on the ground told the fire department they could see smoke from the fire and then it looked like it had been put out, Bledsoe said. Then the fire appeared to restart before being extinguished for good, he said.
The fire didn't burn through the roof into the interior and no one was injured in the blaze, Bledsoe said.
School had not started yet. Those in the building had begun a voluntary evacuation before the fire department told them they were safe and could reenter the building, Bledsoe said. Boyd Street between Jenkins Avenue and Asp Avenue was temporarily closed while the fire department assisted in salvage and overhaul of the fire.
The cause of the fire had not been officially determined Tuesday afternoon. Carson was having work done on the roof in which the contractor was using an adhesive, said Catherine Bishop, vice president for OU Public Affairs.
Julianna Parker 366-3541 jparker@normantranscript.com

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