Fire guts UW urban horticulture offices
Published 9:00 pm Sunday, May 20, 2001
Associated Press
SEATTLE – A fire gutted labs and offices at the University of Washington’s Center for Urban Horticulture early today.
No one was injured, but the fire destroyed decades of work and records for some teachers and researchers.
Firefighters arrived shortly after receiving an alarm at 3:20 a.m., said fire department spokeswoman Helen Fitzpatrick. They were concerned about hazardous chemicals in the building, which houses labs, classrooms, offices, a lecture room and a library.
The cause of the fire was not known. The center apparently was unoccupied when the fire started.
Professor Tim Hinckley said he lost 30 years of teaching and research records.
“It is devastating. It’s a major portion of your life,” he said.
About 50 people work in the building.
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