At 8:57 a.m. on Dec. 9, the Oakland University Police Department (OUPD) released an emergency notification alerting the campus community that a fire had occurred at the Engineering Center. The Engineering Center was immediately closed following the fire, and campus community members were asked to avoid the area surrounding the building.

The fire began in one of the labs located on the third floor of the Engineering Center at approximately 7 a.m. on Dec. 9. While workers leading the clean-up efforts following the fire were unable to share the exact location where the fire occurred, they speculated that the fire occurred in one of the labs located on the south side of the building.

OUPD and first responders arrived on the scene shortly after a fire alarm notification was detected. The fire was quickly extinguished, and the building was surveyed for occupants. No one was located within the building, leading authorities to believe that the fire was accidental.

The Oakland University Communications and Marketing team released a campus communication statement at 1:44 p.m. on Dec. 9 informing the campus community of the damage caused by the fire. The statement reads as follows:

“Fire and smoke damage occurred on the third floor and water damage occurred on the third, second and first floors.”

Clean-up efforts began in the afternoon on Dec. 9. The building remained closed to the public until the morning of Dec. 11.

Students were notified of final exam conflicts caused by the fire and water damage. The campus communication statement reads as follows:

“Students who anticipated taking final exams in the Engineering Center on Monday, particularly in Room 116, should check their Moodle accounts to learn of relocation plans.”

On Dec. 11, the Engineering Center was opened to the public. Students resumed classes, exams and presentations alongside clean-up efforts.

Water damage caused by the fire necessitated a temporary shutdown of the south elevator in the Engineering Center. However, the north elevator is still functioning to accommodate individuals with accessibility needs. 

Numerous fans have been placed on the south side of the building’s first, second and third floors to expedite the cleanup process. A group of maintenance personnel is conducting cleanup efforts on the south side of the third floor—the site of the fire—where the smoke and water damage is most severe.