Students evacuated from SRC after alarms sound

Students evacuated the Student Resource Center at approximately 2:45 p.m. when smoked filled room 501.

“It was a legitimate alarm,” said Mark Jones, Director of Business Services. “But there was no real danger.”

The alarms sounded, after a science experiment with sodium metal and water produced smoke in the room. The experiment was being conducted by Dr. Zachary Reed.

“Ventilation restricts what we can do,” said Dr. Jim Konzelman, Associate Professor of Chemistry. “but we can prevent the smoke alarm from going off.”

“Our fire alarms are very sensitive,” Jones said. “Overall that is a good thing.”

This is the second time in recent history that students had to evacuate the SRC. During the Summer semester, the same thing occurred.

The Oconee County Fire Department showed up on the scene, minutes after the alarm went off.

Students were allowed back in the building just after 3:00 p.m. Nobody was injured, and no rooms were damaged by the smoke.

“All in all I think it was a good fire drill,” Konzelman said.

Editors Note: This is a developing story. It will be updated as more information is processed.