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Fire at SUNY Oneonta dorm displaces 177 students

ONEONTA, N.Y. (AP) — Authorities say a fire that displaced nearly 180 students living in a State University at Oneonta dormitory was sparked by the improper use of a power strip.

SUNY Oneonta officials say Thursday the fire started around 4 p.m. Wednesday because of the improper use of an electrical power strip in a bedroom in a third-floor suite in Matteson Hall.

Officials say the 177 residents of the dorm all got out safely from the four-story building. The fire was under control in less than an hour.

College officials say inspectors determined the building is structurally sound, but will remain closed while repairs are made. No estimate of when they could return is available.

The American Red Cross is assisting displaced students housed in Chase Gymnasium until other accommodations can be arranged.

  • © 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Dave Lucas is WAMC’s Capital Region Bureau Chief. Born and raised in Albany, he’s been involved in nearly every aspect of local radio since 1981. Before joining WAMC, Dave was a reporter and anchor at WGY in Schenectady. Prior to that he hosted talk shows on WYJB and WROW, including the 1999 series of overnight radio broadcasts tracking the JonBenet Ramsey murder case with a cast of callers and characters from all over the world via the internet. In 2012, Dave received a Communicator Award of Distinction for his WAMC news story "Fail: The NYS Flood Panel," which explores whether the damage from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee could have been prevented or at least curbed. Dave began his radio career as a “morning personality” at WABY in Albany.
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