A portion of McMillan Hall, which houses William Carey University’s bookstore, post office and IT department, was destroyed in a recent fire that broke out at the building.
Hattiesburg fire chief Sherrocko Stewart said staff from Engines 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 – along with battalion chiefs 10 and 20 – were dispatched to the Hattiesburg campsu at approximately 6:15 p.m. on June 20. Upon arriving, firefighters found black smoke coming from the eaves of the building and took coordinated effort to suppress the fire and prevent further damage to the building.
“There were no flames visible, but there was smoke visible,” Stewart said. “We didn’t leave until about 9 o’clock, so we were there for about three hours.”
Officials from the fire department, along with the state fire marshal’s office, have sent items to be tested and are waiting on those results to determine the cause of the fire.
Stewart said the side of the building that contains the book store will be considered a total loss.
“The other side of the building (will be fine); it’s just got water and smoke damage,” he said. “So the bookstore is completely destroyed.”
Hattiesburg Fire Department was assisted at the scene by security and maintenance staff from William Carey University.
No one was in the building at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported.
