Students looking to get in a little early-week studying got a surprise Monday.
Tisch Library was evacuated from about 4:45 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. after a laptop computer caught fire on the first floor. The computer malfunctioned and burst into flames, according to Tufts University Police Department Sergeant Chris McGee.
"There was some smoke and a few small flames," he said.
The computer's owner put out the flames with a fire extinguisher, and someone pulled the library's fire alarm, which evacuated the building.
"The fire alarm went off, and everyone walked out like robots," sophomore Andrew Zappala, who was in the library at the time, said. "Nobody seemed panicked."
The police went into the library with Facilities Department electricians and the Medford Fire Department to check out the power outlets in the area of the explosion.
After talking to the police, Tisch staff told people gathered in front of the library they would not be allowed back in for an hour and a half, Zappala said. The library wound up being closed for only half the original estimate.
The police have the laptop computer. "It was pretty much completely destroyed," McGee said.
OneSource was called to clean up the area. There was no damage to the library. The Tufts Fire Marshal is investigating the incident.
The laptop's owner was not a student, McGee said.
Zappala said he did not smell or hear anything during the fire. "I just want to get back in," he said while waiting for the doors to reopen.
