Photo by Tara Monastesse ’25
A large plume of smoke was visible from across Lower Lake on Mount Holyoke College’s campus Tuesday afternoon.
By Tara Monastesse ’25
Editor-in-Chief
A small brush fire broke out in the wooded area behind 1837 Hall and Prospect Hall on Mount Holyoke College’s campus on Tuesday afternoon. While no flames were visible at time of reporting, a large plume of smoke could be seen emerging from above the trees. Students were evacuated from Prospect Hall and the neighboring Fimbel Maker and Innovation Lab. No injuries have been reported.
There appears to be no damage to any residence halls or academic buildings. An MHC Emergency Alert from Public Safety & Services at 1:13 p.m. stated that the fire is “contained.”
“Out of an abundance of caution, please refrain from going near Prospect Hall until further notice,” the statement read.
According to footage obtained by a member of Mount Holyoke News, members of what appear to be an emergency response team were visible on the rooftop of 1837 Hall at approximately 12:59 p.m.
A member of the emergency response team on the scene told MHN that car access in the immediate area around Prospect Hall was limited.
Casey Simon ’28, a resident of Prospect Hall, initially observed the smoke from Skinner Green. Simon confirmed that residents were unable to reenter Prospect Hall at the time. Evacuated students remained outside, awaiting further instructions.
A resident of Mandelle Hall recently in the building confirmed that the residence hall had not yet been evacuated. MHN is awaiting confirmation about the status of 1837 Hall.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned for updates by Mount Holyoke News.
UPDATE 2:26 p.m.: The fire has been extinguished and Prospect Hall has been cleared for re-entry. Smoke is no longer visible in the nearby woods. The surrounding buildings and Lower Lake trail are also able to be freely accessed. However, an MHC Emergency Alert advises, "please do not go into the wooded area to allow fire crews to continue their work."
UPDATE 2:01 p.m.: Prospect Hall is still evacuated. Residents can be seen waiting on Pageant Green and around Lower Lake to receive permission to reenter the residence hall. Several police cars and an ambulance are still outside the building. Still no reports of injury.
Madeleine Diesl ’28 contributed fact-checking.