University of Westminster temporarily moves Hoyt Science Center classes online after fire

Westminster students taking classes at the university’s Hoyt Science Center will be taking classes online after the building fire.

A University of Westminster spokesperson told 21 News that students will be taking Hoyt Science Center classes online on Friday, February 2nd. The current plan is to have in-person classes in the building again starting Monday, February 5th.

The change to an online format came after a small fire broke out in a lab on the second floor of the building’s Chemistry and Biochemistry building around 4:40 a.m. Thursday.

No one was inside the building at the time, and the building’s sprinkler system was able to extinguish the flames before firefighters arrived on the scene. Smoke and fire damage was limited to his one room, but there was water damage to all three of his floors in the building.

Firefighters from New Wilmington, Neshannock, Volant, Pulaski, Mercer East, and Chenango, as well as NOGA Ambulance Service, all responded to the call.

“We are grateful to the Department of Public Safety and local fire services for their quick and careful action in responding to our call,” said Dr. Cathy Britten Richardson, President of the University of Westminster. “Although the fire was small, we really appreciate everyone’s quick response.”

University of Westminster public safety director Philip Lentz said the cause of the fire had not been determined, but it was not considered suspicious.