Emergency crews respond to fire at Penn State’s Chemistry Building. What we know
Penn State’s Chemistry Building — renamed the Benkovic Building in 2024 — was evacuated “out of precaution” Wednesday morning after a fire on the second floor, according to Penn State officials and public emergency services information.
No injuries occurred, and the building partially reopened by 2 p.m. Wednesday. However, the second floor “and other pertinent areas” will remain closed for now, said Jacqueline Sheader, public information officer for University Police.
“There are no additional safety concerns and the building was evacuated out of precaution,” Sheader explained earlier Wednesday.
According to public reports, including preliminary dispatch information, fire crews responded after receiving a call about a fire Wednesday morning under a fume hood in Room 219. It wasn’t immediately clear how it started, but firefighters identified hazardous materials such as solvents and compressed gases.
The building was at least partially evacuated while crews managed ventilation, as the fire appeared to be extinguished relatively quickly. By noon Wednesday, the smell of smoke still lingered while students looked on from around the building while the doors were propped open.
It wasn’t immediately known how long parts of the building in the 300 block of Science Drive might be closed or how significant the smoke damage might be. Sheader did not directly address those questions in a written response to the CDT.
Alpha Fire Company was first to respond Wednesday, with Boalsburg Fire Company also reporting to the scene.
CDT visuals editor Abby Drey contributed to this report
This story was originally published April 8, 2026 at 12:48 PM with the headline "Emergency crews respond to fire at Penn State’s Chemistry Building. What we know."
