Reports of a possible gas leak prompted an evacuation of Dauphin Humanities Center (DHC) around 6:30 p.m. Monday night. Within the hour, it was confirmed that no gas leak occurred, but there was a malfunctioning vent that caused the odor.
After the gas odor was reported in the DHC, “per our protocol the fire department was requested to meter, and the building was evacuated,” SU Director of Communications and Marketing Megan Silverstrim said in a text message to The Slate.
The building was evacuated, but reentry was deemed safe within about 20 minutes.
UGI Corporation, a gas company that works with the university, was on scene with SU facilities to assess the situation, according to Silverstrim at 7:13 p.m.
At 7:19 p.m., Silverstrim shared an update saying, “There was no gas leak. A vent malfunctioned and that caused the odor. It is being fixed and should be completed within the hour.”
The students who were evacuated, as well as others passing by, were surprised to see emergency responders, given the multiple on-campus incidents within the past week. Within the past week, SU has had two other infrastructure issues — a gas leak at the Luhrs Performing Arts Center and a water main break outside of Naugle Hall.
“It just feels surreal,” Victoria Carroll, senior criminal justice major who watched the emergency vehicles arrive on scene, said.
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