Campus Bonfire Permit Restored by Fire Marshal

Friday, February 2, 2001

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City Fire Marshal Kenneth E. Crews reinstated a permit Monday enabling Duke University students to hold a bonfire following a win over the University of North Carolina men's basketball team Thursday night.

Crews suspended the permit Sunday after an incident Saturday night at which students started an illegal bonfire to celebrate Duke's stunning overtime defeat of the University of Maryland men's basketball team. About 300 students rushed out of the West Campus residence halls after the victory and several celebrants ignited at least three student wooden benches in Clocktower Quadrangle on Duke's West Campus.

Crews set several conditions for the reinstatement of the permit. First, students must follow the guidelines established last year by a joint planning group of Durham Fire Department and Duke officials. In addition, students must demonstrate self-control at the scene of the fire.

Crews also requested that city investigators work with Duke Police in investigating Saturday's unauthorized bonfire. Duke Police Chief Clarence Birkhead agreed. The students who are found to be responsible could face prosecution under state law, Birkhead said.

"I will be on campus Thursday night, and I will revoke the permit if these conditions are not met," Crews said. "This a very serious situation. Any time you're dealing with fire, you have to act responsibly." He emphasized that any violation also would result in cancellation of permits for three additional bonfires planned this year - at the second UNC game March 4 and for the national men's and women's NCAA championships April 1 and 2 if Duke teams advance that far in the tournament.

Birkhead called the meeting of campus and fire department officials at which Crews was asked to reconsider the permit suspension. Duke officials reiterated their support for fire-safety efforts on campus and Student Government President Jordan Bazinsky committed his support.

"We're grateful to the fire marshal for reinstating the permit because we think that will make things safer on campus," Birkhead said. "We hope that in having the permit, we won't have to deal with renegade bonfires. We know where the bonfire is going to be and when it is going to take place, so we can have some measure of control."

A city fire truck will be on Duke's campus before the Duke-UNC game starts Thursday night. The university will pay for the service with the bill expected to range between $1,000 and $1,500, depending on the length of time the crew spends on the scene.

Written by Noah Bartolucci.