UPDATE: Two Columbia Campus Buildings to Remain Closed Through Friday, October 27 - Other Campus Buildings/Services Open and Functioning-- Open House to Go on as Scheduled on Saturday
Chicago IL (Oct 25, 2006: Noon) -- Columbia College Chicago evacuated five of its academic buildings north of Balbo Drive last evening because of a multiple-alarm fire at 630 S. Wabash Avenue, in the vacant George Diamond building.
Two of the college's buildings - 623 South Wabash and 619 South Wabash - remain closed today (Wednesday, October 25). Materials on exhibit in these two buildings will be moved to the back of the structures, out of the "collapse zone" of the Diamond structure.
We expect that those two buildings will remain closed for the rest of this week. All other campus buildings remain open and fully functioning.
College administrators began building evacuations yesterday about 4:45 p.m. - before the Chicago Police and Fire Departments mandated evacuations. The Chicago Fire Department indicated that there was no release of toxic materials into the air during or following the fire. Sensors in the college's air handling systems have not detected particulate matter in those systems.
The college will bring in charcoal filters later this week to address the smell of smoke in buildings on the northern part of the campus.
Demolition of the George Diamond building will begin as soon as the Chicago Fire Department authorizes contractors to access the site. Clean up of the George Diamond site may take as long as two weeks, but access to the 600 block of South Wabash is expected within the next week.
The college continues to work closely with the Chicago Police and Fire Departments, as well as the city's Office of Emergency Management and Community Affairs, to monitor conditions in the affected area.
Although we are assured that there is no threat to public health or safety, employees with medical concerns who work in buildings north of Balbo should inform their supervisors and request time off. Time off will not count against accumulated sick-leave or vacation days.
Open House for prospective students, scheduled for this weekend, will continue with program alterations to accommodate anticipated building closures. For questions about undergraduate Open House plans, contact Ania Greiner (agreiner@colum.edu or extension 7034). For questions about scheduling of this weekend's Graduate Open House, contact gradsch@colum.edu or extension 7260.
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