Fire Damages Research Lab on Duke Campus
An accidental fire early Monday extensively damaged a research lab in the Nanaline H. Duke building on Research Drive
Monday, September 11, 2006
A fire early Monday extensively damaged a research lab in the Nanaline H. Duke building on Duke University’s Research Drive. No one was injured, but the building will have restricted access through Tuesday morning.
While some compounds with low levels of radioactive materials were stored for research in laboratory freezers, no radioactivity was released, said Dr. Wayne Thomann, director for Duke’s Occupational & Environmental Safety Office (OESO). The freezers sustained heat damage but did not burn, he said.
“Nothing has been found at this time to indicate there’s a release of any radioactive materials or biological agents,” said Thomann, adding that OESO will continue to evaluate and monitor the building.
OESO personnel used a Geiger counter and took samples in the lab area to determine if there was any contamination; the results were negative. The building will have restricted access until Tuesday so that officials can examine mechanical systems and environmental conditions.
