Boiler explodes at UW-Whitewater injuring 1

by Carolyn Potts

Thursday, April 17, 2008 01:44

A backup boiler at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater power plant exploded around noon Wednesday, causing minor injuries to one worker.

According to a statement released by the university, seven workers were in the building at the time of the explosion, two of which were performing routine maintenance on the boiler that exploded.

Sara Kuhl, director of public information for UW-W, said the explosion blew out the windows of the power plant. She said contractors have been hired to clean up the debris and make repairs to the building.

All of the boilers in the university’s power plant were shut down after the explosion and as a result, the campus will be without heat and hot water for the next few days, the statement said.

Kuhl said students will have to resort to “good old short showers” until the boilers are back up and running.

“They should think about it as if they’re camping,” Kuhl said. “I know that is an inconvenience and it is by no means a pleasant thing, but it can’t be helped.”

Esker Dining Hall, located just east of the power plant, was also evacuated and closed until further notice due to the release of asbestos used to insulate the boiler, the statement said.

According to the statement, students will be diverted to other dining areas around campus and the hours of service have been extended for at least one other dining hall.

Kuhl said this will be somewhat of an inconvenience for students, but other dining halls are only a few blocks’ walk away.

“The campus is not the size of Madison’s campus,” Kuhl said. “It is relatively convenient (for the students).”

Kuhl said she couldn’t speculate as to how often the boilers are inspected, but she thinks it is on a pretty regular basis.

The cause of the explosion is still under investigation, according to the statement. Officials do not, however, suspect foul play.