Small fire in Sutherland Hall

By Michael Macagnone

A small fire in a trash room brought the city fire department to Sutherland Hall early Monday… A small fire in a trash room brought the city fire department to Sutherland Hall early Monday morning and sent residents out into the chilly air for almost an hour.

The sprinkler system quickly extinguished the fire on the eighth floor. One stairwell had extensive water damage and more than a dozen rooms suffered water damage of some kind across several floors. A representative from the city fire department said there were no injuries.

Water was visible on the carpet of the building’s fifth floor after residents were allowed back in.

The alarm went off just after 2 a.m. in Sutherland Hall East, which was then evacuated. Several units from the Pitt police, city fire department and city police responded.

After a few minutes, one engine remained at Sutherland while most of the first responders left.

Residents were allowed back into the building about five minutes before 3 a.m.