The Drake Hall Fire that relocated 271 students to
alternative housing in February of 2012 is closed a year and half later.
“No active investigation is underway,” says UW-L Police
Chief Scott Rohde. “However this case can be re-opened if sufficient evidence
is presented.”
UW-L police department interviewed hundreds of students and
Drake Hall residents. The Police department even administered a polygraph exam,
which one student passed.
The fire was investigated by arson specialists and was
determined to have human involvement. It is not known if the fire was lit
intentionally. Investigators found no sufficient evidence describing to a
reasonable degree of scientific certainty that the fire was truly arson. A
couch in the basement was the fuel for the fire, but it is still unknown how it
was ignited.
The blaze only damaged the basement of the hall
directly. However significant smoke
damage travelled through the building’s ventilation system, causing the hall to
remain closed for the semester. Under contract, Servpro fire and water
restoration deep-cleaned the building, making it safe for students.
Today Drake Hall has new residents. Despite not having a
sprinkler system, Drake Hall is very safe. “The smoke detectors are very sensitive,” says
Chief Rohde. “We have already had several calls due to pizzas setting off the
alarms.”
For any information regarding the fire, contact the UW-L
police department at 608-789-9000. Anyone can remain anonymous, and a reward
still exists.
