By ANUSHKA MEHROTRA
A fire caused by a mechanical failure on the roof of the University’s Insectary Laboratory was quickly extinguished by Ithaca firefighters Monday, according to an Ithaca Fire Department press release.
Thomas Basher, public information officer for the IFD, said the blaze was caused by the failure of a duct heater within the lab.
At approximately 11:45 a.m., Tompkins County 911 Dispatch received an alarm from the Cornell laboratory, according to the press release. Crews noticed smoke coming from an exhaust fan on the roof and found a fire in the roof assembly.
Though the building — which is located on the eastern part of campus — suffered “moderate damage,” firefighters were able to quickly control the blaze by cutting roof material to gain access to the burning area, according to the press release. The fire was extinguished in approximately 90 minutes.
The IFD said that no one was injured in the fire.