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Pratt Hall Updates
Information for Students and Families
On Wednesday night, January 31, Anderson University avoided a disaster because of the grace and poise of our students and the incredible cooperation between Anderson University officials and first responders.
This webpage is meant to provide timely information and resources for students and their parents.
At approximately 10:30 p.m., a small fire broke out in the basement of Pratt Hall. Students evacuated immediately and emergency officials quickly extinguished the fire. No one was physically harmed and all students were quickly located and their physical safety confirmed. We are enormously grateful for God’s protection during this incident.
While all students living in Pratt were affected, 46 students were temporarily displaced. Efforts to assist them began immediately and continue. University leaders have activated Anderson University Emergency Response Plan protocols. Our primary goal is, and remains, the safety and security of all of our students. The University is working to resolve this incident thoroughly, quickly and with as minimal disruption as possible.
Student safety is our primary objective and we are committed to providing ongoing assistance for those immediately affected. The University is likewise dedicated to transparency in our communication.
Directly Affected Students
Students directly affected will receive specific communication from the Office of Residence Life. For questions, please contact Residence Life directly at 864-622-6011 or by email to residencelife@andersonuniversity.edu.
The office is located on the second floor of the G. Ross Anderson Jr. Student Center.
Please continue visiting this page for important information and additional resources. It will be updated as needed.
Process for Items Damaged in the Fire
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Updates
Friday, February 2, 2024 – 5:20 pm
The safety of Anderson University students remains our highest priority as we work on repairs to Pratt Hall. We remain committed to returning displaced students to their rooms as soon as possible.
While the timeline is subject to change, we hope repairs will be completed by the end of day on Wednesday, February 7. Pratt residents who are displaced have been contacted directly by Residence Life and have been given a timeline on an estimated move-in.
Currently displaced students are provided temporary housing during this period. Residence Life is communicating directly to those currently displaced and providing all necessary assistance.
If you have any questions or need any assistance over the weekend, please contact Residence Life at 864-622-6060 or by email to residencelife@andersonuniversity.edu.
Thursday, February 1, 2024 – 5:15 pm
We are working to determine the timeline for all students’ return to normal occupancy in Pratt Hall. We are grateful that we were able to allow the majority of the residents to reoccupy their rooms this afternoon. Although we were able to make significant progress today, additional time is needed to determine the full scope of work that needs to be completed. Displaced students will be allowed to return as quickly as possible, but only after repairs are completed. Your safety is always our highest priority. We plan to provide an update on the timeline by the end of the day tomorrow.
All currently displaced students have been provided temporary housing. If you are one of these displaced students and need to access your room, please contact Residence Life before entering your room. Residence Life will continue working closely and directly with these students to make sure they have everything they need to be as comfortable as possible.
Anderson University has established a web page to provide the latest information and to help students access the resources they need following the fire at Pratt Hall on Wednesday night.
Visit the site at https://andersonuniversity.edu/pratt-hall-updates/.
The site includes all communication sent to students and will be updated regularly. Please share this page with your parents or guardians.
Thursday, February 1, 2024 – 12:20 pm
Pratt Hall residents who were displaced last night are being allowed to return to the building at noon today. Residence Life staff are on hand to assist students in retrieving and securing personal belongings.
In the meantime, remediation efforts are underway and the University is conducting a thorough investigation into the incident.
Please stay tuned for more information.
Initial Campus Communication
Wednesday, January 31, 2024 – 11:43 pm
Anderson University officials have responded and safely contained a small fire at Pratt Hall. The building was safely evacuated, and no students were physically harmed. However, smoke from the fire is sufficient that students may not be allowed to return to their rooms tonight.
The safety and well-being of our students is our top priority. They are being cared for diligently and carefully. We are working closely with local emergency services to assess the incident.
At approximately 10:30 p.m. tonight, local emergency services received reports of a fire at Pratt Hall, a residence hall on campus. Again, immediate action was taken to evacuate the building, and all occupants have been safely accounted for. No injuries have been reported at this time.
Emergency services, including local fire departments and law enforcement, are on the scene and the fire has been extinguished. The safety of our community remains paramount, and we have done—and are doing—everything possible to address the emergency swiftly and effectively.
We understand the concern and anxiety this incident may cause among the Anderson University campus community and their families. Regular updates will be provided as more information becomes available and as necessary. We appreciate the collaboration and support of local authorities during this challenging time.
The University administration is working diligently to determine the cause of the fire and assess the extent of the damage. We will ensure a thorough and transparent evaluation of the incident.
We urge all members of the Anderson University community to stay informed through official University communication channels and follow the guidance of emergency personnel on-site. Counseling and support services will be made available to those affected by this incident.
Please join us in a prayer of thanksgiving that no one was physically injured in this incident. We also ask you to pray for the emotional well-being of the students who were impacted because of this incident.
Anderson University extends our gratitude to the first responders for their prompt and dedicated efforts on behalf of the campus community.