Officials contain blaze in less than one hour
Fire breaks out at UW stadium
By ERIC SCHMOLDT - Star-Tribune staff writer | Posted: Tuesday, November 24, 2009 12:00 am | No Comments Posted
LARAMIE -- The Laramie Fire Department responded to a fire in the luxury suites under construction at the University of Wyoming's War Memorial Stadium on Monday night.
No injuries were reported, and officials said the blaze was put out at 7:55 p.m.
The fire, which was reported shortly after 7 p.m., was located near the elevator shaft in the northeast corner of the $22.3 million construction project. The affected area will house the new Wildcatter Club Suite for high-dollar donors to the University of Wyoming's athletic program.
Officials told the Star-Tribune they believed a propane tank started on fire and later ignited another propane tank after crews arrived. The investigation was ongoing.
Discussion on the department's scanner suggested a damaged valve played a role in the fire, and that five 100-pound propane tanks were involved.
UW Athletics Director Tom Burman was eating dinner at home when notified about the fire. He said school officials were already worried about delays in project.
"I'm glad nobody was hurt," Burman told the Star-Tribune. "And I hope the damage isn't significant enough that it slows us down, because we were making great progress."
Jennifer Coast, UW manager of capital projects, said the project's progress hindered the fire's damage. She said none of the interiors or the walls were installed and that a temporary or "membrane" roof was covering the area.
"We have a buffer of 35 days on the schedule, and that was a good comfort zone," she said. "Hopefully, we don't have to replace all of it."
Ironically, most of Monday's work on the project focused on fire-proofing the area.
Sampson Construction of Lincoln, Neb., is in charge of the addition, which is scheduled to be completed in time for the 2010 football season.
The Wildcatter Club Suite will serve 480 spectators once completed.