A Sunday night fire has impacted 30 rooms in Mississippi State University’s Oak Hall, according to university officials.

MSU Chief Communications Officer Sid Salter said the fire, which was reported at 9:55 p.m., started when a student in a third floor A wing hall in the building plugged something into an outlet in their room. At that point, a spark reportedly lept from the plug onto the student’s bed, initiating the fire.

“The student very alertly hit the fire alarm and verbally warned the residence hall personnel nearest them,” Salter said. “Then our normal fire protocols kicked in.”

No injuries were reported in the fire.

Salter said the university is still awaiting an official fire marshal’s report on the fire, but presently believes the spark initiated it.

Fire damage was contained to one room, but Salter said 30 other rooms — some on the third floor and some on lower floors — have water damage. In all, 63 students resided in affected rooms, and Salter said some of those students accepted a university offer to stay in a La Quinta hotel near campus due to room damage.

MSU has extended academic accommodations to affected students who need it, Salter said, and MSU President Mark Keenum has extended other accommodations, such as for parking.

“A number of parents have made contact with their students,” Salter said. “Some have come to assist. At this point, Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, Housing and Residence Life, the President’s Office and everyone that has a role to play in next-day assistance are engaged.”

Salter said most of the rooms will only need minimal work to help dry the water from the fire response. However, he said some of the rooms where the fire started will need “fairly substantial” renovation and rooms with more extensive water damage may require further work.

Alex Holloway was formerly a reporter with The Dispatch.

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