Lee North Up in Smoke

A heat lamp that was being used to grow marijuana and basilin a closet of a Lee dorm room caused a small fire when the lamp fell overearly Wednesday afternoon.

The fire was contained inside the wardrobe in the room and noone was hurt; however, over 150 people were evacuated for at least two hours.Fire Chief Michael Dalton said the fire was accidental.

Director of Safety and Security, Pat Gagnon, confirmed thatthe residents were growing marijuana and basil in the wardrobe of their bedroom.  Gagnon said the cleaner in Leeresponded to smoke in the room, upon discovering the fire he notified security,who responded in turn along with the fire department.

Dalton said the fire was minor, and fairly straightforwardfor the department. “We just used a small amount of water to douse the flames.”According to Dalton, the smoke from the room was enough to set off the buildingalarms and he suspected that there would be considerable smoke damagethroughout the building floor. He also noted that there was significant damageto the wardrobe and to the contents inside.

Canton Village Police and a Fire Inspector from the NYSOffice of Fire Prevention and Control were also on scene. The investigation isongoing and Gagnon said there might be criminal charges pending as well asuniversity discipline.

Gagnon and Dalton both stressed the extreme danger of fireson campus and urged community members to take fire safety seriously. ResidenceLife Director Matha Thornton added that, “fires in the residence halls scare meas much as anything.” However, everyone was pleased that it turned out the wayit did and that no one was hurt.