Information Regarding the Fire Near Campus

Watch here for information regarding the March 26 fire near the campus.

March 27

3:00 p.m. This flyer from the city Health Department offers tips and resources for coping with the aftermath of a fire, ranging from dust and smoke to stress.

6:30 a.m. Update: Delayed Opening

We have determined that the academic buildings are safe to open this morning, March 27. We are now exchanging fresh air in the buildings to address a residual odor of smoke. We will delay opening until 10 a.m. Any classes scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. and go beyond 10 a.m. should plan to meet in their regularly assigned classrooms at 10 a.m.

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March 26

9:45 p.m. Update: Fire declared under control

We have been informed by the city fire department that the fire in the neighboring buildings is under control. Engines on site are dousing water on the building that remains involved, but the smoke is dissipating. 

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7:30 p.m. Update: Student Residence Hall

Due to the fire on Second Avenue, there continue to be smoke conditions in the neighborhood. There are no mandatory evacuations for our area, and the student residence hall will remain open.

Should students in the residence hall or the local area have health concerns regarding the air quality, they are encouraged to find alternative housing if they are able to do so for the night. If you have concerns about your health or safety but do not live locally, please try to partner with more local students to spend a night together outside the neighborhood.

Students who choose to leave the area will not be penalized for missing classes on Friday.

Finally, if a student concerned for his or her health due to the smoke conditions is unable to partner with other students to find an alternative location for the night, please contact Dean Chamberlin or David Robbins and we will work to find accommodations. Both Dean Chamberlin and David Robbins can be reached via the security desk in the residence hall. 

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6 p.m. Update: Buildings Closing

Cooper’s academic buildings have been evacuated safely. The Residence Hall is open and conditions there are being monitored for safety. According to our housing records, no Cooper students were residents in either of the buildings affected by the fire, nor in other buildings in the immediate vicinity.

If members of the community have further information bearing on the safety of members of the Cooper community, please call the security desk at 41 Cooper at 212-353-4270 or email mea@cooper.edu.

We will update you with any information we receive that bears on community safety in the aftermath of this incident.

Our thoughts go out to all those who have been affected by this tragedy in our neighborhood.

  • Founded by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1859, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers education in art, architecture and engineering, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

  • “My feelings, my desires, my hopes, embrace humanity throughout the world,” Peter Cooper proclaimed in a speech in 1853. He looked forward to a time when, “knowledge shall cover the earth as waters cover the great deep.”

  • From its beginnings, Cooper Union was a unique institution, dedicated to founder Peter Cooper's proposition that education is the key not only to personal prosperity but to civic virtue and harmony.

  • Peter Cooper wanted his graduates to acquire the technical mastery and entrepreneurial skills, enrich their intellects and spark their creativity, and develop a sense of social justice that would translate into action.