(THE PICKET) – Area fire department units were dispatched at 2:18 p.m. to Dunlop Hall at Shepherd University for a reported fire in the building, according to an emergency communication specialist at the Jefferson County Emergency Communication Center.
“It appears it was a discharge of a (fire extinguisher) in the hallway by a rambunctious college student,” said Shepherdstown Fire Department EMS Chief Marshall DeMerritt.
No injuries were reported in the incident that lasted approximately 25 minutes.
DeMerritt emphasized that discharging a fire extinguisher in a non-emergency situation is a potential hazard to the exposed people and the fire department units that are responding.
“Not only is that a life safety issue for the (residents) of the building, but it is also a life safety issue for fireman responding emergency (lights and sirens) to the scene,” DeMerritt said.
Todd Bowman is a staff writer for The Picket. He can be reached by email at tbowma04@rams.shepherd.edu or on Twitter @todd_bowman87.