Dumpster fire causes Shafer evacuation

Shafer Court Dining Center was evacuated Sunday evening after a fire broke out in a large trash compactor behind the building. Smoke billowed from Shafer’s loading dock and was visible as far away as Warren W. Brandt Hall. Judging by the dryness of the rest of the dock, it appeared only one of the twelve visible sprinklers went.

“As soon as I swiped (my meal card) and asked if they had bagels, the stupid alarm went off. Then I saw all the cafeteria people run out,” said Niya Flemmings, a freshman psychology major.

According to Lt. Bailey Martin from Station 10, the rescue truck from his station was the first on the scene. The firefighters received the call at 5:05 p.m. and responded at 5:10 p.m. Second on the scene was a quint truck from Station 1.

“There was a metal container that had some coals in it, I guess from one of the ovens,” said Wayne Matheson, a food services employee. “I guess someone threw it in the dumpster.”

By 5:45 p.m. the kitchen staff re-entered Shafer Court Dining Center. At the same time, one of the sprinklers began to go off in the loading dock that contains the compactor.

Firefighters eventually closed up the compactor to block the flow of oxygen, inserted a fire hose into a round hole in the receptacle’s side, and filled the container 3/4 full of water.

Students were allowed back in the dining center at 7 p.m., according to Flemming.

Later that night, Company 6 responded to a call that the compactor was again on fire, but was still just smoldering from earlier in the evening, according to Lt. Kevin House.

Most likely, there will not be an investigation by the Richmond Fire Department, because they usually only investigate if the fire looks suspicious or there is significant of damage, Martin said. He added that VCU still might conduct an investigation.

Martin also said dumpster fires are usually caused when someone discards something hot or flammable into the receptacle, which catches the rest of the compactor on fire.

Timeline of the fire

5:05 p.m. – A fire breaks out behind Shafer Court Dining Center. The building is evacuated and the firefighters of Station 10 field the call.

5:10 p.m. – Station 10’s rescue truck arrives on the scene. Station 1’s quint truck arrives minutes later.

5:45 p.m. – Kitchen staff re-enter Shafer. A sprinkler in the loading dock goes off.

6:06 p.m. – Firefighters stop pumping water and begin to break down their equipment.

6:17 p.m. – Firefighters leave the scene.

7:00 p.m. – Students are allowed to re-enter Shafer.

10:15 p.m. – Station 6 responds to a call that the compactor is on fire. They leave 30 minutes later.