TV Studio Fire

In the Fall of 2000 a fire broke out in the TV Studio located in the basement of the Bush Library.  Theatre work-study students had just completed a two year project to refurbish the studio space. Counters were built and installed, lighting instruments were refurbished and a new dimmer system was installed. A grant from HUSC allowed us to purchase a new teleprompter.

	The fire started in a rack of VCRs that were providing service to the University. The racks were connected to cable feeds that send signals out across the campus. One of the VCRs overheated and then the plastic casing started to melt. As the plastic melted the fire began. This shot is taken from the studio into the Control Booth. The St. Paul Fire Department responded when the smoke from the fire trigger an automatic alarm. To get to the fire they broke the glass into the booth.
	This shot shows you some of the inside area of the Control Booth near the racks. The heat and smoke damage are obvious. When the doors into the studio were opened the ventilation system in the library sucked up all of the smoke and particulates and spread these toxic materials throughout the library.
	Fortunately the fire was quickly extinguished but the real damage, outside of the TV Studio, was the from the smoke. The library had to be completely cleaned and all of the books needed to be treated. The massive job task of managing the reconstruction of the library was handled by Ms Diane Clayton and Ms. Julie Rochet co-directors of the library. Mr. Lowell Bromander oversaw the contractors and reconstruction and was instrumental in assisting the the planning for the new TV studio that emerged, literally, from the ashes.

This last photo shows the doors that lead from the studio out into the library computer and work areas. The smoke damage is clearly visible. The entire studio was gutted and from the shell we were able to plan a more useful and efficient space. A new light and sound control system, better work areas and a more logical  set of cable runs and control systems were all added into the new space. Today the TV studio hosts a number of projects ranging from original films, regular news shows to a late night variety/entertainment production.