A Wednesday night thunderstorm caused damage to one of six residential buildings in the Oaks neighborhood when lightning hit Janie Poole Brown Hall; no injuries have been reported and Elon University is relocating all residents for the night as a precaution.
AN UPDATE POSTED at 10:40 A.M. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 AVAILABLE HERE: http://www.elon.edu/e-net/Article/99775
THIS STORY LAST UPDATED at 12:35 A.M. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
A lightning strike caused damage to Janie Poole Brown Hall (Oaks E) on Wednesday night when sprinkler systems activated and flooded parts of the building.
The strike entered through a dryer vent to Room 302 of the building at approximately 10 p.m. It traveled into the bathroom and blew a hole in the ceiling, triggering the sprinklers. Two of the suite’s four residents were home at the time and safely exited the area.
The building’s 80 students were allowed to temporarily enter the hall to retrieve belongings. No injuries have been reported and all residents were asked to lodge with friends for the night as Physical Plant and Elon Fire Department officials evaluated the structure and began making repairs.
The university will find hotel accomodations for any student unable to room elsewhere on campus with friends or classmates.
Student Life and Residence Life staff, town and university police, Physical Plant workers and other university personnel were on the scene to assist residents.
The building has been locked as of 12:35 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 4, with security personnel stationed in the area.