Bouwkunde!!!! BYE BYE!!!!

Update fire at Faculty of Architecture (15.00 hours)

The fire at the Faculty of Architecture is not yet under control. The
fire-fighting is expected to take a number of hours yet. The terrain
surrounding the faculty has been completely closed off. The advice to
stay indoors and to keep doors and windows shut remains in full force,
as a result of the heavy smoke production.

The fire started on the 6th floor in the vicinity of a coffee corner. At
approximately 9.30 am the fire brigade received the fire alarm. The in
house emergency response staff rapidly evacuated the entire building.
There were about 200 - 300 people present in the building at the time.

The fire is extremely hard to extinguish, which is why the fire brigade
is using heavy equipment. Fire brigades from surrounding areas have been
called in for assistance. The firemen can only extinguish the fire where
possible from outside the building.

The fire brigade is continuously taking measurements. It has been
confirmed that no dangerous concentrations of harmful particles have
been found. The limited amount of asbestos present in the building has
not shown up in the measurements.

At the moment no conclusive statement can be given about the exact cause
of the fire. A fire technical investigation is needed to determine the
cause. This investigation can only start once the location has been
declared safe.

Although there is enormous relief that there have been no casualties,
there is also immense sadness about the probable loss of so much
research and education work - as well a historic material and
collections. No indication can yet be given of the extent of the damage.
Also the Executive Board is highly concerned about this loss for
students and members of staff. It has been confirmed however that all
computer files that were centrally stored have been saved.

At the moment TU Delft is surveying the options for continuing the last
three weeks of the current academic year and the start of the new year
in September. Help and support have already been offered by various
education institutions in the vicinity. A solution will also have to be
found for researchers and other members of staff.

D.J. van den Berg
President of the Executive Board

http://www.nos.nl/nosjournaal/artikelen/2008/5/13/130508_brand_delft.html