Fire at Lincoln College
Students from Lincoln had to be re-housed for the night following a potentially serious fire in their first-year accommodation last Thursday.
An electrical fault in a distribution board serving the first floor of the accommodation building is thought to have caused the fire.
First years living in the accommodation block smelt gas, and observed billowing smoke on the first floor of Lincoln House at 7.30am. A first year student, Toby Gascoyne, was in his room when the fire occurred, and told The OxStu: "I woke up with my room completely full of smoke and sparks coming from the ceiling at one side. When I went outside, the corridor was also full of smoke and the ceiling panels were on fire; it certainly made me get out quickly!"
The fire resulted in four fire engines and two police cars being called to the Turl Street college, although fortunately no one was injured.
Some students were allowed to return to their rooms after just two hours. However, those on the first floor of Lincoln House were forced to vacate their rooms for the night, and had to be allocated accommodation in various other colleges including New, Keble and Trinity.
The College Surveyor, Stuart White, issued a letter to all who were affected by the fire stating: "I am sorry about this and I trust that you will understand that your safety is of paramount importance and I must act cautiously."
26th Feb 2004