Storm brings destruction
Three staircases WERE evacuated in Wadham College on Sunday morning after a nearby tree was severed from its roots by the previous night's gales.
More than twenty students were left homeless after it appeared that the tree was in significant danger of crushing the block of three staircases backing onto Holywell Street.
The fire alarm was set off at 10.30 am, and students emerged in their bathrobes and dressing gowns. For safety reasons the inhabitants of the staircases were subsequently denied entry into their rooms, even to collect belongings until the problem had been rectified, and the self-styled "refugees" were required to seek accommodation elsewhere for the night. Mattresses were laid out in the old refectory as emergency accommodation.
As the tree shuddered precariously, the fire warden for the staircase, finalist Will Small was instructed to watch the tree for several hours, while courses of action were discussed. He described the college's predicament as "a Mexican stand-off between man and nature."
The Police cordoned off Holywell Street, although unsuccessfully as the cordon had blown down within an hour, and members of the public continued to walk along the street. The unstable tree was taken down on Tuesday and all students could return to their rooms.
Trees fell in Worcester and Magdalen colleges, the latter occasioning a police cordon of Addison's Walk, and a piece of the lead roof of Blackwell's bookshop was briefly left dangling.
<p><em>Photo: Wadham: providing better emergency accommodation than the UN / Conor O'Neill</em></p>
31st Oct 2002