Walker Center Basement Open After Fire

Zach Allman, University College freshman, checks on his laundry Sunday in the basement of Walker Center. The basement was closed Friday afternoon after a small fire but is now open. Photo by Hailey Branson

Everyone inside Walker Center was evacuated Friday afternoon after a small fire started in the basement.

No one was injured by the fire, which might have been started accidentally by welders, according to fire officials. Charred fans were left on in the basement Sunday afternoon. The basement still smelled of smoke.

"I thought it was a drill because we've done like four of those already this year," said Kyle Burks, a University College freshman who was present during the evacuation. "I thought it was just someone who burned something in a microwave. I didn't think it was anything serious."

The fire caused no damage to the laundry machines and restrooms in the basement, which is now open and fully accessible.