Fire Alarms Triggered in ECS

This was the scene last time ECS had a fire...

In a hauntingly familiar event for many of the academic members of ECS, there is currently an investigation into fire alarms heard in the Mountbatten building.

According to a University Press Release there is no fire but the whole building is currently cordoned off with several fire engines outside whilst Hampshire Fire and Rescue investigate. It is unlikely the building will be open before midday.

The alarm was triggered at around 0645 this morning by an apparent gas leak. The Fire Service have confirmed there is no fire but the gas leak has not yet been confirmed.

An eyewitness said:

The whole area is cordoned off and there are loads of fire engines outside. When I was there a load of firemen were putting on breathing equipment ready to go in and fight the fire

At around 10am firefighters were seen leaving the Mountbatten building in hazmat suits.

With a multi-million pound clean room and thousands of pounds in the new building only re-opened in 2008, any damage could be catastrophic to the department.

A selection of images from today can be seen below and on our Flickr page.