By Tara Conry

Stunned students sprung from their desks last Thursday afternoon as the fire alarm sounded and smoke permeated the Hofstra Dome.

Richard Drury, the director of the University’s physical plant department, said the small electrical fire originated from a motor in the exhaust fan of the elevator after someone shorted the circuit.

“This is rare, but it does happen,” Drury added.

He said the duct system in the building, which is similar to the vent system that connects most household dryers, uses vinyl coating on the ducts. When the motor caught fire, the burning of the vinyl coating emitted excessive amounts of smoke.

“The smoke was not toxic, but it seeped into the carpets and the smell was extremely offensive,” Drury said.

The Dome was closed for a period of 30 hours as a team of approximately 20 people from Tradewinds, a company specializing in environmental clean-up, worked diligently to clean and repair the damaged walls and ceilings.

Classes scheduled to meet in the Dome on Thursday evening were canceled and Dean R. Johnson of the School of Education, moved Friday’s classes to other buildings on campus, Edward Bracht, director of Public Safety, said.

“The damage was minor. The small motor and the singed ceiling tiles needed to be replaced,” Bracht added.

As of Thursday the plant department had not received the bill for the damage, but Drury estimates the cost will be around $50,000 to $60,000. The repairs have been completed and Bracht said, “Everything looks as good as new.”

An electrical fire originating from the motor in the exhaust fan of the elevator created an excessive amount of smoke in the Dome. (Photos courtesy Plant Department)