On Friday, March 15, at around 9:30 p.m., patrons and employees were evacuated from Idaho State University’s Pond Student Union Building (PSUB) due to a fire in the men’s restroom on the lowest floor.
ISU Director of Public Safety Steve Chatterton said he believes the fire to be deliberately set.
“Somebody pulled the toilet seat covers out and wadded them up in the seat cover container and lit them, either with a match or a cigarette lighter,” said Chatterton.
At present, most of the damage to the restroom appears to be from smoke rather than flames.
PSUB Games Center employee Colten Hopkin alerted Public Safety of the fire shortly before the evacuation.
“I was first told about the smoke by some customers who asked that I call Public Safety,” said Hopkin.
“After calling, I opened the restroom myself but the smoke was too thick to see anything
.”Chatterton said responding officers acted quickly.
“Our officers were called because someone saw smoke and they put the fire out with an extinguisher and pulled the alarm and evacuated everyone,” said Chatterton.
Junior Jenna Larson, another Games Center employee, was bowling at the time and noticed smoke coming from the restroom before fire alarms sounded.
“Some people thought it was a drill and were more concerned about whether or not they should return their bowling shoes than to get out of the burning building,” she said.
“I have been through many fire drills but this was my first experience with the real thing,” said Hopkin.
The Pocatello Police Department (234-6100) and Public Safety (282-2515) are asking for anyone with leads concerning the fire to come forward.
