University 'blessed' that massive fire hurt no one, didn't spread

Published: 2006-03-14

SPOKANE, Wash. (CNS) -- Jesuit Father Robert J. Spitzer, president of Gonzaga University in Spokane, saw "some hidden blessings" in the March 13 fire that destroyed a $10.3 million, 225-bed apartment complex under construction on campus. "We feel blessed that no one was hurt and that it did not spread by wind, which could have caused much more damage than occurred," he said in a statement. "It was harrowing simply watching it come down, but we're moving forward with contingency plans and will be off one year on this project only." The Kennedy Apartments complex, being built on the site of the Jesuit university's former Colonial Bowl, was to house juniors and seniors beginning in the fall. University officials were "assessing options to accommodate" the 223 students who had been assigned to the 75 three-bedroom units in the facility, according to a news release. Cause of the fire, which was believed to have started at approximately 12:05 a.m. March 13, was under investigation by the Spokane Fire Department and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Because the fire occurred during the university's spring break, most students and faculty were not on campus. All university offices and departments continued to operate without interruption and classes were to resume as scheduled March 20, the school said.

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