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Edinburgh Napier's Merchiston campus to reopen after fire and dust explosion | |
(about 14 hours later) | |
Edinburgh Napier's Merchiston campus is set to reopen on Wednesday after a fire and "dust explosion" forced hundreds of students to be evacuated. | |
About 40 firefighters were called to the blaze at 10:30 on Tuesday. Overheating woodwork equipment started a fire and embers then ignited an explosion. | |
There were no injuries as staff and pupils evacuated the building. | |
Students and staff are being updated by email and social media. | Students and staff are being updated by email and social media. |
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said the overheating equipment at the Merchiston campus had caused a small fire which was extinguished by students, but the university activated its evacuation procedures. | Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said the overheating equipment at the Merchiston campus had caused a small fire which was extinguished by students, but the university activated its evacuation procedures. |
Shortly afterwards firefighters discovered a build-up of dust, combined with embers from the equipment fire, had entered the extraction system, causing a dust explosion and a second fire. | Shortly afterwards firefighters discovered a build-up of dust, combined with embers from the equipment fire, had entered the extraction system, causing a dust explosion and a second fire. |
The extraction system vacuums dust away from the machinery and deposits it into holding bags on the lower ground floor. | The extraction system vacuums dust away from the machinery and deposits it into holding bags on the lower ground floor. |
Temporary Watch Manager Billy Webster said: "This was a very unusual incident. In 25 years as a firefighter I have never experienced a dust explosion. | Temporary Watch Manager Billy Webster said: "This was a very unusual incident. In 25 years as a firefighter I have never experienced a dust explosion. |
"Because the embers entered the holding bags and the fire was burning sawdust it meant there was thick smoke logging in the building, which presented a challenge for firefighters." | "Because the embers entered the holding bags and the fire was burning sawdust it meant there was thick smoke logging in the building, which presented a challenge for firefighters." |
He added: "The fire damage was mainly confined to the extractor machine although there was considerable smoke damage on the first floor." | He added: "The fire damage was mainly confined to the extractor machine although there was considerable smoke damage on the first floor." |
An Edinburgh Napier spokeswoman said: "We apologise for any inconvenience caused to our students. The fire service, who were quickly on the scene, have described the incident as a very unusual event. | An Edinburgh Napier spokeswoman said: "We apologise for any inconvenience caused to our students. The fire service, who were quickly on the scene, have described the incident as a very unusual event. |
"We are pleased to report that staff and students at the campus were able to evacuate the building safely and no-one was injured." | "We are pleased to report that staff and students at the campus were able to evacuate the building safely and no-one was injured." |
The spokeswoman went on to confirm that all of the university campus, apart from the woodwork shop where the fire began, will be reopened by Wednesday morning. | The spokeswoman went on to confirm that all of the university campus, apart from the woodwork shop where the fire began, will be reopened by Wednesday morning. |
The spokeswoman added: "There will unfortunately be a residual smell of smoke and staff and students should be aware that due to the sensitivity of our alarm system, this may trigger the fire alarm." | The spokeswoman added: "There will unfortunately be a residual smell of smoke and staff and students should be aware that due to the sensitivity of our alarm system, this may trigger the fire alarm." |
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