Malfunction Closes UConn Hartford Building Monday

HARTFORD, CT — The University of Connecticut's main campus building in Hartford was closed Monday while maintenance crews cleaned up after what officials described as an overnight equipment malfunction.

UConn spokeswoman Stephanie Reitz said an issue inside the building’s air-handling system caused an internal belt to melt shortly after 2 a.m. The malfunction filled the building with smoke and a burnt rubber smell.

University officials and city public safety crews were notified by the building’s alarm, Reitz said.

No one was injured and no significant damage was reported, but the building was closed Monday for specialized cleaning and other work to remove the smell and clean soot from some of the walls.