Fire Breaks Out In Boston University's College Of Communication
BOSTON (CBS) – A three-alarm fire broke out inside the College of Communication at Boston University Friday morning.
The Boston Fire Department tweeted that it started just before 9 a.m. in a recording studio on the third floor.
The room is soundproofed and heavily insulated. The fire department said there were high gas levels there, so fans were used to ventilate the area.
"It was really manpower intensive, had a lot of overhauling. There were not a lot of ventilation windows in the building. So it took a lot of time to get those levels down," said Dep. Fire Chief Michael Doherty.
Fire investigators looking for cause and point of origin. Ongoing. pic.twitter.com/7ytPFYeMpc
— Boston Fire Dept. (@BostonFire) March 25, 2016
A BU spokesperson told WBZ-TV everyone in the building on Commonwealth Avenue made it out safely.
Boston fire said five people were taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation - one firefighter, a BU police officer and three students - but none of their injuries are life-threatening.
There's no official word yet on what caused the fire.
The fire is believed to have started in the WTBU radio station. The Boston Police & Fire Dep't are investigating#BU pic.twitter.com/FwZbd3BBxE
— torrance ???? (@TorranceLatham) March 25, 2016
BU officials said classes inside the College of Communication building are cancelled for Friday.
Students said they were initially confused what was happening when flames broke out.
"It actually sounded like a trolley. We weren't quite sure what was happening at first," student Sanaz Tahernia said.
Morse Auditorium is being used as a shelter for students and staff.
The fire caused an estimated $500,000 worth of damage.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Karen Twomey reports