Explosion at U of R injures three students

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A scary situation at the University of Rochester on Saturday afternoon.

Police say three students were injured after a chemical explosion on campus. They say the explosion happened inside the chemistry department, in the basement of Hutchinson Hall, at around 2:30 p.m. We’re told three graduate students were doing lab work in the basement when a mixture of chemicals and acidic waste exploded right in front of them. School officials have identified those three students as Jared Kneebone, Kathlyn Fillman and Malik Al-Afyouni.

“They are being evaluated right now. It’s possible acidic burns could be a part of their injuries,” said Sara Miller, U of R spokesperson.

All three students were taken out on stretchers and rushed to Strong Memorial Hospital. Police say their injuries are believed to be non-life threatening.

Students say they heard an alarm and then emergency crews evacuated everyone inside. A HAZMAT team entered the building where officials say the explosion resulted in a small fire inside the chemistry lab. Crews were able to recover pieces of a container where a mixture of hydrochloric acid, nitric acid and sulfuric acid caused the explosion. Fire officials say no dangerous chemicals were spilled. All three students were decontaminated immediately after the explosion.

“The student that got the chemicals on him, took his clothes off and got in the shower,” said Bart Joseph, Battalion Chief for the Rochester Fire Department.

All three students were taken to Strong Memorial Hospital. We do not know their condition at this time.

Hutchinson Hall is now back open to students. Fire officials say this was an isolated incident, and anything left behind from the explosion has since been cleaned up. We’re told the building would not have been reopened if they didn’t feel it was 100% safe.