Binghamton University Building Closed After Fire

A building on the Binghamton University main campus in Vestal was shut down following a morning fire.

The blaze in the Science 2 building at 171 West Drive was reported around 8:20 a.m. Tuesday.

University spokesperson Ryan Yarosh said the fire developed in a small refrigeration unit in a physics lab on the ground floor of the building.

Vestal firefighters responded to the scene. Yarosh said the fire was initially extinguished by a university police officer and a member of the environmental health and safety office. No injuries were reported.

Yarosh said damage caused by the fire was isolated to the space near the refrigerator. He said some smoke damage was reported inside the lab. Secondary smoke damage was reported to two adjacent rooms.

Because the fire happened during spring break, there wasn't much activity on campus. A few people who were in the Science 2 building at the time were evacuated.

Yarosh said the building was ordered closed for the rest of the day. It's expected to be back in operation Wednesday.

Vestal fire chief John Paffie said the blaze was knocked down quickly, preventing any major damage.

Although the fire originated in the refrigeration unit, the cause was not immediately known.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.