Building Soundness Investigated After Nevada University Dorm Blast

July 10, 2019

Investigators are assessing the structural safety of two University of Nevada, Reno, dormitories that usually house 1,300 students, days after explosions injured eight people but none seriously.

Nevada University Regents Chairman Jason Geddes (geh-DEEZ’) said that engineers are measuring damage to Argenta and Nye halls following Friday’s explosions.

Geddes says the cause of the successive blasts hasn’t been determined, and officials hope to have an answer about building soundness this week.

Officials say foul play isn’t suspected.

Some students reported smelling natural gas. Geddes said technicians were servicing a gas-fired boiler in the Argenta basement before the explosions.

Student Liz Vasquez says she left her room in Argenta Hall after a first small blast and was across the street when the larger explosion damaged the building minutes later.

Topics Education Universities

Was this article valuable?

Here are more articles you may enjoy.