By Braden Weinel//
Investigators determined that the fire that severely damaged Brodbeck Music Hall on Sept. 9 was caused by a lightning strike.
The fire alarm was set off at 1:49 a.m. Campus safety immediately notified the Frederick County Fire and Rescue team, who were on the scene by 1:53 a.m.
An intense thunderstorm passed through the area around 9 p.m. Wednesday.
The fire was contained to the third floor of the building; however, the cupola was destroyed.
Brodbeck is the oldest building on campus.
Residents of Smith Hall were evacuated and moved to the Whitaker Campus Center until 2:30 a.m.
“I didn’t really grasp how bad the situation was until I walked out the door of my building and saw the fire,” first-year Smith Hall resident Garrett Carter said. “I just thought about how lucky Smith Hall is and everyone living in it because we are maybe 20-30 yards away from that building [Brodbeck].”
Hood College President Andrea Chapdelaine said in an email early Thursday morning, that Brodbeck Music Hall will be strictly off-limits until further notice, and the surrounding area, including streets and sidewalks are closed.
Frederick Memorial Hospital, next door to the college, has agreed to let Hood students use the fifth level of their parking garage for additional parking since the gravel parking lot next to Brodbeck is closed.
Power to Strawn Cottage, Carson Cottage and the Admissions house is down, however, Alumnae House and Tatem Hall were not affected.
Brodbeck Music Hall was built in 1868 and is rumored to be haunted. The third story was being used for storage.
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