Fire Breaks Out In Dudley Co-op

An early-morning fire yesterday caused by candles left burning in the Dudley House Co-op has rendered the building uninhabitable.

The 19 co-op residents have been moved to Holworthy Hall and Jordan Co-op.

The contents of two rooms on the second floor of the 3 Sacramento Street building were destroyed, and the third floor was damaged by smoke and water, according to Sgt. William K. Donaldson of the Harvard University Police. No one was injured.

The fire was reported at 3:02 a.m., after candles left burning while a student fell asleep set a bookshelf on fire, according to the Harvard Police report.

The Cambridge Fire Department estimated the total damage at $40,000. It was a two-alarm fire, with six engines, three ladders and four support vehicles.

Residents evacuated quickly, according to Deputy Chief Gerald R. Reardon of the Cambridge Fire Department.

"The alarm system, as far as we're concerned, worked well," he said.

Police surrounding the house yesterday afternoon told a Crimson photographer that the building was unsafe and no one was being allowed to enter.

Thomas A. Dingman '67, associate dean of the college, said he was unsure how long it will take for students to be able to return to the building, but he said it could be a few weeks.

"The Office of Physical Resources is, in the simplest terms, putting [the house] back together," said Michael N. Lichten, director of physical resources for the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.

"How long it will be primarily depends on the amount of electrical work we have to do," Lichten said.

Dudley House Master Paul D. Hanson said the fire came at a particularly bad time.

"This displaces people at a very, very sensitive time of year," Hanson said. "All of our nerves are somewhat tattered, I think, as we approach exams and papers."

Hanson said he was grateful, however, that nobody was hurt.

"My overwhelming feeling is just thankfulness to God that no one was injured, that they were able to handle it as very mature and responsible fortunate to have resident tutor Conevary Bolton, "an outstanding person," on duty when the fire occurred.

Dingman, who also serves as senior tutor for Dudley House, met with some of the studentsshortly after the fire yesterday.

"They've been remarkably resilient and I think they are eager for a chance to return," Dingman said.

A source close to the students said that theyare trying to make the best of the situation and that college officials have been very supportive