College/University (on campus), School / University West Lafayette, IN – Fire in Purdue University laboratory extinguished with help from sprinkler system March 17, 2017 viking210 Purdue firefighters rushed to Wetherill Hall on Oval Drive about 1:30 p.m. Wednesday after receiving a report of a fire, which was extinguished within minutes after the fire department arrived. Purdue fire Capt. Shane Jones said the fire caused moderate damage, which was contained to the fire hood area in the second-floor laboratory. The fire activated the sprinkler system, so there also was some water damage in the area. The facility was evacuated when the alarm went off, and people were directed to the nearby Stewart Center and Purdue Memorial Union, Jones said. Building services staff assisted in the clean up, and people were allowed back into the building about 2:15 p.m. However, the room where the fire happened and the room directly below it remained closed, Jones said.
