Campus Bonfire Permit Restored by Fire Marshal
Friday, February 2, 2001
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.
