Burst Pipe Displaces 300 Bryant University Freshman

SMITHFIELD, RI — Approximately 300 Bryant University students were forced out of their dorm late Wednesday night after a broken sprinkler pipe flooded the building. The university president said Thursday that many students rooms avoided damage and electricity is expected to be restored by the evening.

Video posted on Twitter shows water pouring out of a pipe in the ceiling, filling the hallway with several inches of water.

According to the university, the issue was caused by damage to a fire sprinkler pipe on the third floor of the Bristol House dorm, causing water damage to several areas of the building, including some student rooms. Electricity was shut off while crews investigated the extent of the damage to the building, and is expected to be turned back on by Thursday evening.

Alternate sleeping accommodations were found for the approximately 300 freshman students displaced by the leak, and the Smithfield Fire Marshal was brought in to help students who left necessary items such as medication in their rooms while evacuating.

The flood came in the middle of final exam week, and university President Ronald Machtley said that while exams will still be held as scheduled, affected students are encouraged to contact professors directly to work out individual plans for exams.

"Today, our priority is cleanup and continuing to ensure the safety of the community" Matchley said in a message to students. "Until the fire alarm system has been restored and we are authorized to return power to the building, the hall cannot be reoccupied. We hope to have the ability to restore power by this afternoon."

Matchley continued that a team from Student Affairs and Facilities Management is working to determine if any of the building is habitable, and an update is expected on Thursday night. Meanwhile, while he acknowledged that affected students are "eager" to get back into their rooms, no students are allowed to enter the building alone at this time. Students can reach out to Residence Life staff to coordinate alternate housing for the rest of the semester or retrieval of items.

"We appreciate everyone working together in view of this problem which unfortunately occurred during finals. Please be assured that the University will ensure that all damage to personal property is covered and charges incurred for essential accommodations will be reimbursed," Matchley said, adding that students should take photos of any damage to their personal belongings.