Lightning strike forces evacuation of YSU students

By Denise Dick

denise_dick@vindy.com

Youngstown

Youngstown State University junior Jordan Thompson awoke early Friday morning to the sound of the fire alarm at University Courtyard Apartments.

Initially, Thompson, a Cincinnati native, wasn’t concerned, until he saw a flash of light and a spark by his refrigerator.

About 4:30 a.m. firefighters were called to the apartments where an electrical room was “crackling and smoke” flowed throughout the hallways on all floors, a city fire department report says.

The building was evacuated and a lightning strike is blamed for the problem. Power to the building was cut.

Ron Cole, YSU spokesman, said 75 students were living in the building and had to move to other quarters. Those whose families live locally may stay there. For others, the university opened Cafaro House, one of the campus dormitories, for them to move in temporarily.

“It will be at least a week,” Cole said.

Thompson and his roommate are among those who moved into the dorm.

“My other two roommates aren’t here now,’ he said. “They’re coming back this weekend. We all play football, so we’ll be staying in the dorm.”

Residents were told to “get whatever you can, what you need” from their apartments.

Students Friday were moving food, lamps and trash bags filled with various possessions out of the apartments. A staff member, equipped with a flashlight, accompanied them to their respective units, helping them retrieve what they needed.

Junior Jeff Brown was at his family’s home in Center, Pa., when his roommate called to tell him the news.

Brown had applied for a few jobs in the city for the summer with plans to stay in the apartment. But with the building closed, he says he’ll probably return home for the summer.