At about 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 6, University of New Mexico students evacuated from Mitchell Hall after an electric skateboard inside the building caught on fire.
It is unclear who owned the skateboard or how the fire started, according to UNM Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Cinnamon Blair. Classes were not to be held in Mitchell Hall until at least Thursday, Nov. 7 while officials made sure the area was safe, she said.
UNM was closed Nov. 7 due to weather.
The fire itself was small, and the fire department contained it quickly, Blair said.
There was smoke in the building, and students evacuated about 10 minutes before a LoboAlert was sent to the campus community, according to Blair.
Because of the type of battery that caught on fire, the building has to be cleaned and fumigated, Blair said. The building will be air tested on Nov. 7, and she said once it is safe, students can return to the building..
The building was deep cleaned and ventilated, and the air was tested before classes resumed on Friday, Nov. 8.
Lauren Lifke is the managing editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at managingeditor@dailylobo.com or on X @lauren_lifke
Lauren Lifke is the managing editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at managingeditor@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @lauren_lifke
