Fire Crews Investigate Blaze at Cal State Chemistry Lab

Hazardous-materials workers and Cal State Los Angeles employees are still investigating and cleaning up after a fire that damaged two floors of the campus’ physical science building.

The fire, which was reported about 7 p.m. Sunday, damaged a chemistry lab and two adjoining rooms on the seventh floor as well as rooms on the building’s eighth floor. Los Angeles fire companies and hazardous-material teams were on the scene and controlled the blaze about 30 minutes later, a university spokesman said.

Classes in the building were canceled Monday. On Tuesday classes were conducted in alternate classrooms. Although about a dozen people were in the building at the time--including students conducting lab work--no injuries were reported.

The building is believed to have sustained water, fire and smoke damage. A spokesman said it was hoped the building could be reopened by the end of the week.

“We are making sure the building is safe before allowing students, staff and faculty to reenter the facility,” said Carol Selkin, spokesperson for the university.