UMM science building evacuated, campus without power for part of first day of classes

UPDATE, 8:25 p.m.: According to the University of Minnesota, Morris Facebook page, power has been restored to the campus, except for the Science building, which remains closed this evening. All classes will resume and office open on their normal schedule Thursday.

The first day of class at the University of Minnesota, Morris was interrupted this afternoon when a downstairs room of the Science and Math building filled with smoke.

Morris Fire Department Captain Peter Hentges said the fire department was called after a room on the first floor filled with smoke. As of about 3 p.m. on Monday the cause was unknown, but Hentges said there was not a fire in the building.

Lowell Rasmussen, UMM vice chancellor facilities and finance, said the problem occurred in a high voltage power room in the building. The room is secure and not occupied.

Rasmussen said the campus was changing the way the campus is powered today, and speculated something in that process may have gone wrong.

As of 3:20 p.m., power was still out in the building, students and staff were not being allowed in, and the cause of the fire remained unknown.

More details will be added to this story when they are available.