Purdue outlines fire safety upgrades

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - After Monday's fire at Elliott Hall of Music, Purdue University outlined ways to upgrade older buildings for fire safety.

More than 20 buildings on Purdue's campus have fire safety issues. The Small Animal Hospital is one such building. Dannell Smith works in the Small Animal Hospital's administration office. He said he is confident the safety issues will be addressed.

"I know that there are other things going on at the university. I know they can't do everything at once," said Smith.

Installing fire alarms in Elliott Hall alone is expected to cost $1 million. Sprinkler systems are expected to cost $10 million. 

Purdue student M. Rhea Lusk thinks safety is more of a priority than price.  

"Most people don't get around to things until it becomes too worse. I would hate for that to happen, but it probably has to get worse than what it did," said Lusk.  

For students, the Elliott Hall incident is an example of how the unexpected can happen. 

Still, many students and staff agree Purdue Police and Fire responded quickly to Monday night's call. Many Purdue community members still feel safe.

Elliott Hall is on the list of priority projects to get fire protection upgrades.

Other buildings on the list include:

• Stewart Center
• Wade Utility Plant
• Forestry
• Lambert Fieldhouse.

In the meantime firefighters or patrols will stand watch during every performance or exam session in the buildings without smoke detectors or sprinklers.