Students injured in chemistry classroom explosion at Saint Martin’s have been treated and released from hospital
September 21, 2005
5:00 pm
Lacey, Wash. – All students injured in an explosion
during a chemistry demonstration in a Saint Martin’s University
classroom today have been released from the hospital. Four of the
injured were transported by ambulance to Olympia’s Providence St. Peter
Hospital and a fifth student traveled to Madigan Army Medical Center
with her father for treatment. All suffered lacerations when a large
glass bottle, approximately 18 inches by 24 inches, exploded. Four other
students were taken to the hospital by university staff members or
friends for evaluation. Parents of all injured students have been
notified.
The university has cancelled classes on its main
campus in Lacey for the remainder of the day. They will resume tomorrow
morning. Classes at the University’s Fort Lewis and McChord extension
campuses will be held as scheduled tonight.
The accident, which occurred during an organic
chemistry class on the Old Main building’s first floor, resulted when
members of the university’s Chemistry Club were presenting a
demonstration of a combustion reaction. The bottle, which contained a
small amount of ethanol, exploded when lit, shattering the bottle and
sending chards throughout the classroom. About 34 students are enrolled
in the class.
Lacey Police Department and Lacey Fire Department 3,
with Olympia Fire Department giving back-up, responded to the event.
About 34 students were in the class, along with the professor and a
laboratory assistant.
University counselors met with members of the class
after the incident and will meet with them again tomorrow. Staff members
and counselors also accompanied students to the hospital and will be at
residence halls tonight. The university also will have a meeting for the
university community tomorrow to answer questions.
Please see the university’s website,
www.stmartin.edu, for updates. We will be adding more information as it
is available. Families of Saint Martin’s students are asked to call
(360) 438-4403.
Deanna Partlow
Media relations coordinator
360-438-4541;
dpartlow@stmartin.edu