Published: January 17, 2019

A DORM ROOM FIRE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ALABAMA DISPLACED SIX STUDENTS TUESDAY NIGHT AND HAS OFFICIALS REVIEWING SCHOOL POLICIES PERTAINING TO ELECTRONIC VAPE SMOKING DEVICES. THE TIMES DAILY REPORTS, EMERGENCY PERSONNEL WERE CALLED TO RICE HALL JUST AFTER 9 PM. THE FIRE STARTED IN A DORM ON THE FIFTH FLOOR AND FIREFIGHTERS WERE QUICK TO CONTAIN IT. THE ROOM SUSTAINED DAMAGE AND TWO ADJOINING ROOMS ALSO SUSTAINED WATER AND SMOKE DAMAGE. FIRE INSPECTOR RYAN ORRICK ADVISED IT APPEARS THE FIRE STARTED WHEN THE BATTERY IN AN ELECTRONIC VAPE DEVICE SHORTED OUT, BEGAN ARCING AND GOT INTO A BASKET OF CLOTHES WHICH IGNITED. UNA OFFICIALS ARE INVESTIGATING TO DETERMINE IF ANY POLICY VIOLATIONS CONTRIBUTED. USE OF AN ELECTRONIC SMOKING DEVICE IS PROHIBITED ON CAMPUS HOWEVER HAVING ONE IN YOUR POSSESSION IS NOT. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED.