Most of the 559 residents of Brandon Hall at McMaster University in Hamilton awoke to a blaring fire alarm at approximately 4 a.m., Saturday Oct. 18, and stumbled into the cold autumn air in their pajamas. The few who didn’t woke up smelling smoke.
“We heard the alarm, and thought that it was just some kind of prank, or a drill. We were just making our normal route out of the building when we saw the fire coming from the elevator. A lot of people slept through the alarm altogether,” recalled first-year student, Mika Iwata.
The early morning fire at the university residence had four people sent to the hospital.
The Ontario Fire Marshall’s Office on Saturday deemed the fire in McMaster’s largest residence hall arson, sparking a full-fledged investigation involving every student present at the time of the fire. With no university personnel at the residence hall after 3 a.m., the culprit only needed a swipe card key to gain entrance to the building.
“We don’t really know anything about the investigation,” said Iwata. “We heard that the fire started in the elevator with a bunch of newspapers and some lighter fluid, but they haven’t confirmed anything. We had to talk to the cops, though. Most people are more annoyed and stressed than scared. We’re all pissed that we don’t have our stuff, though most of us found a place to stay.”
A large percentage of the displaced students are staying with friends or relatives. The rest are temporarily accommodated at the Ron Joyce Stadium team rooms and the Ivor Wynne Activity Center.
The fire came at an inopportune moment. McMaster University is in the midst of mid-term exams and assignments. Due to the fire, residents are missing their notes and textbooks, along with other personal items.
“I wouldn’t want to speak for the student body as a whole,” said University spokesperson Andrea Farquhar, “but most students are more worried about their belongings, academics, and their residence than they are about the fire. Nothing is due this week for these students, but the arrangements are made with individual students, depending on whether they feel able to write their exams or not—given the situation.”
Extensive steps have been taken by McMaster to ensure that students have a successful year. The majority of residents have been able to acquire their essential belongings. The university estimates that they will be able to move back into the residence in January.
“We’re trying to reassign housing in groups,” continues Farquhar, “We’re really looking at the long run, trying to make sure that these kids not only have somewhere to live, but a good experience, and a sense of community.”
In the meantime, the investigation continues through Detective Marco Delonte, head of Hamilton police’s arson unit, though no developments have been made public.
“We really can’t disclose what’s going on with the investigation, without sabotaging our own investigation,” said one McMaster security officer. “But I can tell you that we’re working with the cops, and they’re all over the place conducting the investigation.”
