Central State University

Hunter Hall, the scene of the fire, normally houses about 168 students.

A dormitory storage room on the Central State University campus caught fire Thursday, May 1, 2008 about 6:00 am.  Fire officials from six departments surrounding the Wilberforce area responded within minutes of the alarm.  

Approximately forty students were displaced and relocated to a nearby dormitory for the remainder of their stay on campus.  Four students received minor injuries as they tried to exit the building.  The injured students were treated and released from a nearby hospital.

Fire officials conducted a daylong investigation into the cause of the fire and have determined it was arson.  Central State University police officials are assisting investigators in their search for the perpetrator.

Central State University President John Garland said, “We are fortunate that our evacuation practices were swift.  Students responded to fire officials and University staff going door-to-door to make sure all were evacuated safely.”

Hunter Hall, the scene of the fire, normally houses about 168 students.  The majority of students had already left campus for summer vacation.  The spring semester ended Thursday, May 3rd.

Thursday evening some students and their parents were escorted through Hunter Hall to retrieve their belongings. The building will be cleaned and rehabilitated over the summer.

Saturday May 3rd Central State University will graduate more than 215 students during its 121st Commencement exercises on campus.  Marian Wright Edelman founder of the Children’s Defense Fund will serve as the keynote speaker.

For more information about Central State University summer programs visit – www.centralstate.edu - summer programs on the website homepage.