Eight people sustained minor injuries after a mechanical failure caused an explosion Friday in a mostly empty residence hall at the University of Nevada, Reno.
The Reno Gazette Journal reports that there were two explosions Friday at Argenta Hall.
Two people were treated at a hospital and released and six others were treated for injuries at the scene, Reno fire operations chief Steve Leighton said.
The building was significantly damaged. Nye Hall, adjacent to Argenta Hall, also was damaged, but no students are living there this summer, and no injuries were reported there.
All of the students living in Argenta Hall have been accounted for, authorities say.
Students who were staying in the residence halls have been relocated to Peavine Hall.
University, fire and police officials say it's too early to say what caused the explosion, which occurred in the boiler room.
Leighton said maintenance workers who were working on the boiler when the first explosion occurred. As workers were investigating an initial blast, a larger explosion occurred that damaged a large portion of the building.
About 5 feet of water in the basement of the Argenta Hall was pumped out over night.
Finding housing for students who were set to live in Argenta Hall this fall is a top priority for the university. There is no plan yet and it’s unlikely Argenta will be available once the fall semester starts in August.
