Fireball
The Oxford Union de-activated the Debating Chamber's fire alarm during a busy social event, it emerged this week. The alarm was turned off during the Beach Ball on Saturday of 4th Week, after a fault developed in the system.
The action was taken after the link between the alarms in the Union buildings and the Purple turtle was discovered, resulting in the evacuation of the PT on the evening before the debate.
Union Press Officer, Daniel Johnson, denied that the action posed a safety risk to revellers. He told the OxStu: "We are entirely confident that the safety of those attending the ball was not compromised in any way."
"The number of people in the buildings was below the 600 limit imposed by the Fire Officer before the Union had any form on fire-alarm."
He added that the affected area was under constant surveillance by security officers, and that both the Fire and Environmental Health officers were both satisfied with the way in which the Union handled the event.
It has been alleged, however, that the decision to disable the alarm could result in the Union failing to obtain any future licenses for social events. But Oxford City Council's licensing authority were unable to shed any light on the likelihood of this as Tony Payne, head of their licensing department, was unavailable for comment.
It is widely believed that the matter was discussed in private at last week's Standing Committee. Amy Harland, Union President, was questioned about this at a Union public meeting this week, but merely replied that this secrecy was due to 'legal and financial reasons'.
Interstingly, she also added: "Certain things should not be in the public domain."
Some students were less happy with the arrangements, though. One attendee told the OxStu: "I'm sickened and saddened that the Union would put my life at risk in order to make some money. It's a disgrace."
But the Union remained adamant that the safety of ball-goers was never in question. Johnson remarked: "The Union would never compromise the safety of members at an event - either now, in the past, or at any point in the future."
8th Jun 2001