The Normal Fire Department said a call came in around 4:20 PM Wednesday for an activated fire alarm.
While en route, numerous other calls came in that there was reported smoke in the building near the second-floor fitness center.
A search of the second floor led firefighters to find an activated fire sprinkler and a fire in a staff workroom that is connected to the fitness center. The fire was put out, while other firefighters searched the top floor and the floors above and below for any fire spread.
The Normal Fire Department says there is fire and smoke damage, but it is contained within the staff work room, while there is water throughout the second floor as a result of the fire sprinkler system and fire suppression efforts.
Public Information Officer Matt Swaney said the second floor at Watterson Towers South Tower is not a residential floor, and mainly houses the fitness center, and several offices and work rooms.
“The second floor is below any of the residential floors and no students are displaced. The second floor will remain closed while Illinois State University coordinates clean up and restoration work to the area,” said Swaney in a press release.
The building has reopened to students and it was turned back over to Illinois State University shortly after 6:30 PM.
No damage estimate is available.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Normal Fire Department and Illinois State University.
