This browser does not support the Video element.
Some students concerned after fire at UWM’s Peck School of the Arts
Some students concerned after fire at UWM's Peck School of the Arts
MILWAUKEE -- Damage is estimated at $1 million after a fire Saturday night, April 8th at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Peck School of the Arts, which is believed accidental in nature. Classes were canceled Monday, April 10th and will be again on Tuesday, April 11th at the three impacted buildings, as students said they're wondering whether their projects can be saved.
UWM Police Chief Joseph LeMire said Sunday afternoon the Milwaukee Fire Department and Milwaukee police responded to the building around 10:00 p.m. after reports of fire coming from the building. No one was inside the building at the time. Chief LeMire said this fire is believed to be accidental, and there's nothing to suggest it's suspicious or there's foul play involved.
Fire at UWM's Peck School of the Arts
UWM officials provided this update on Monday evening:
The fire happened at a terrible time -- with just weeks left in the semester.
Fire at UWM's Peck School of the Arts
"Another project that we were about to start this week, and I actually need this class to graduate," Alec McWhirter said.
It is believed the fire started on the west side entrance to the theater building, a backstage area where items are built for theater productions. Chief LeMire said there was a group working in the building Saturday night, and they left around 8:00 or 8:30 p.m.
"It's a work area behind the theater. That's the spot they'd build items for theater productions -- wood, metal and other items like that and we believe that through that production is where that accidental fire occurred," Chief LeMire said.
The Peck School of the Arts serves about 1,700 UWM students through its art, music and theater buildings, Emmons said. Classes will have to be relocated for a week, maybe two weeks, Emmons said, and theater activities may have to be relocated until fall.
Fire at UWM's Peck School of the Arts
"The most affected classes are the theater classes, of course. We've had quite a lot of smoke damage to the art building, the music building and the theater building, water damage in each of those buildings as well," Emmons said.
The water was most concerning for McWhirter -- with a sculpture stored below the area where the fire started.
"I mean, I hope I can still graduate," McWhirter said.
Alec McWhirter
Whether his work could be salvaged was unknown Monday.
Emmons said this fire "couldn't have happened at a worse time," because students were in "final production mode" on their theater production "Arcadia." Emmons said the set was built, and students were taking part in final rehearsals, with the show about two weeks away.
Emmons said the community has already responded and offered to help.
Fire at UWM's Peck School of the Arts
"The UWM community, the student union will help with relocation of classes. Churches, different theater companies said they would help so we can have our final productions of the academic year," Emmons said.
"Arcadia" will go on, Emmons said, just not at the Peck School of the Arts. The exact location for that production hasn't yet been determined.
"(Tuesday), we'll have nearly 60 to 70 people in the building cleaning up," Emmons said.
UWM's Peck School of the Arts
Emmons said once the air quality improves, some rooms will reopen, but the most severely damaged areas, like the scene shop, may be closed until fall.
Fire at UWM's Peck School of the Arts
UW-Milwaukee's Chancellor, Mark Mone, issued the below message after this fire: