Chemical fire at WWU caused by accidental spill

A chemical fire at Western Washington University’s chemistry building this week was reportedly caused by an accidental spill of flammable liquid.

A student getting ready to dispose of a mix of chemicals that included acetone and hexane accidentally spilled the liquid on the floor Tuesday, Aug. 25, said Bellingham Fire Marshal Jason Napier, who was in charge of investigating the fire’s cause.

“The vapors found an ignition source inside the lab and caused a quick flash-fire,” Napier said. “Then the pool of liquid continued to burn until the sprinklers went off and extinguished it.”