A sprinkler system is getting the credit for preventing a fire from causing severe damage and injuries at a St. Lawrence University dorm over the weekend.
Canton firefighters rushed to a third-floor laundry room at Whitman Hall late Sunday afternoon.
Officials said they found the remnants of a fire in a dryer. The sprinkler system had activated, keeping the flames from spreading.
“Had the sprinkler system not been in place, the fire would have gained a much more significant foothold, resulting in much more damage to the building and the potential for injuries to the residents. The benefits of fire sprinklers was realized today, even though there was some water damage. Everything will dry out, nothing unburns,” the fire department said on its Facebook page.
Officials said students were evacuated from the dorm. There were no injuries.
Firefighters checked rooms on all three floors of that wing of the dorm for water damage before turning over the building to SLU for cleanup.
SLU said approximately 20 students have been displaced by the damage.
“The affected area of the building remains secured while the University continues to assess smoke and water damage. Students who were living in the north wing have been temporarily relocated to alternate rooms or other accommodations within Whitman Hall,” said university spokesperson Kim Asch in a statement.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.