A university burning down may sound like something that only happens in movies, but campus fires do occur more often than many realize. When such an incident happens, it can disrupt more than just classes — it can completely alter the lives of students and staff. Still, universities are well-prepared with emergency protocols to handle fires when they occur.
How Common Are University Fires?
There isn’t one fixed outcome when a university catches fire because the impact depends on factors like the cause of the fire, the extent of damage, and how quickly the institution can respond.
According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), more than 1,500 fires are reported in schools and other educational institutions every year. Some fires cause minor damage, while others can destroy entire buildings or displace hundreds of students.
Although full-campus burnouts are rare, it’s worth understanding what could happen if a university does experience a major fire.
University Fire Safety Procedures
Most students are familiar with basic fire drills from school, but universities have more complex systems due to the size of their campuses and the number of people involved.
If you ever spot a fire on campus, three basic steps apply:
- Shout out to alert others.
- Get out immediately.
- Stay out until the area is declared safe.
Most university fires start in student accommodation and are often cooking-related. Students are generally advised not to use fire extinguishers unless they have received proper training.
If a fire spreads, students should raise the alarm verbally and activate the nearest fire alarm call point so everyone can evacuate.
Each department or residence hall usually has a designated evacuation route and assembly point. Security or emergency staff are trained to clear each section of the building to ensure all occupants are safely out.
You can review an example of these procedures in the University of Greenwich’s fire safety policy.
What Happens to Students After a University Fire?
Once everyone has safely evacuated, the university must deal with several immediate consequences.
1. Accommodation:
If student housing is affected, the university may arrange temporary accommodation in nearby campuses, hotels, or private rentals. For instance, after a fire incident at the University of Lincoln, several students had to be relocated because their flats were declared unsafe.
2. Academic Disruptions:
If lecture halls or department buildings are damaged, classes may temporarily move online. This becomes more challenging for courses that rely on laboratories, workshops, or equipment that cannot be easily replaced.
3. Loss of Personal Belongings:
Students could lose laptops, textbooks, and research materials stored in dorm rooms. This adds stress, especially during exam or dissertation periods.
4. Records and Examinations:
Final-year students could face delays if records or exam papers are lost. In severe cases, graduation timelines might be extended until the university restores its systems.
Does “Pass by Catastrophe” Really Exist?
You might have heard of the phrase “pass by catastrophe” — a popular student myth suggesting that if a major disaster occurs, all students automatically receive passing grades or even degrees.
Unfortunately, this is nothing more than an urban legend. Universities still require students to complete coursework and assessments once operations resume.
In reality, universities have contingency plans. Depending on the extent of the damage, they may:
- Rent temporary classroom spaces or office floors.
- Partner with nearby universities for shared facilities.
- Shift to online teaching while reconstruction is underway.
After large-scale disasters such as Hurricane Katrina, displaced students from affected universities like Tulane were temporarily enrolled at other institutions until their campuses reopened.
How Universities Recover Financially
Universities typically hold comprehensive insurance policies. A public university might receive emergency funding from the government, while private institutions rely on insurance payouts, endowment funds, alumni donations, or new loans to rebuild.
In some cases, wealthy donors may even fund the construction of a new building, often in exchange for naming rights. Rebuilding usually takes a few years, but many universities take the opportunity to design modern facilities that blend with traditional architecture.
While the idea of a university burning down sounds alarming, institutions have strict fire safety measures and recovery plans in place. Students may face temporary displacement or class disruptions, but universities are resilient. With insurance, government support, and proper crisis management, education continues — even after the flames are put out.
