Ypsilanti Fire Department s Fire Marshall John Ichesco said the room houses electrical and elevator controls for the building. A spark from a torch the men were using at the time ignited a filter causing the fire. One of the workmen called 911 to report the fire. Ichesco said 17 firefighters from his department responded with assistance provided by Pittsfield Township Fire Department and the Ypsilanti Township Fire Department.
Fire loves fuel and air and it kept it moving along.
Mullens said that the university is still assessing the damage. Classes were in progress at the time of the fire and the building was evacuated with no problem. That was one of the problems. Although Ichesco doesn t know the alarm system at EMU, he said he understands some of the fire alarms weren t activated because the smoke didn t reach the lower floors. A decision to hold classes was to be made Tuesday by university officials.