Burnt potato causes Campbell Library evacuation

Students, faculty and visitors evacuated the Campbell Library on Tuesday due to a burnt potato. Alarms went off around 1:15 p.m after a potato was left too long in a fifth floor microwave. No one was hurt in the fire or the evacuation.

The smoke from the microwave set off the smoke alarms as well as activated the sprinkler system. While the sprinklers did not go off, excess water from the pipes was released from a safety pressure valve, causing minor damage on the fifth and fourth floor rugs. The firefighters poked holes in the ceiling as a precaution to make sure fire and/or smoke did not travel into the ceiling.

Volunteer firefighters from Pitman and Glassboro in addition to EMS ambulances responded to the alarm.

“Its good to know they responded so well, to see that kind of reaction,” said Rowan University spokesperson Joe Cardona.

A statement released by Reed Layton, Senior Director of Public Safety stated “The Department of Public Safety thanks the Glassboro and Pitman fire and EMS departments for their quick response and the Campbell Library staff for helping evacuate the building.”