Students at Ghent University (UGent) were evacuated from a Faculty of Bioscience Engineering building on Tuesday morning during an exam after a smell of smoke was detected.
Several students were taken to hospital as a precaution. According to Bjorn Bryon, spokesperson for the Central Fire Zone, one student became unwell, and four others reported complaints. “They were still conscious,” he said, “but were sent to hospital as a precaution.”
The building was evacuated as a safety measure. A university spokesperson stated that approximately 300 students had to leave the building, including nearly 80 people who were in the lecture hall where students had fallen ill.
At the time of the evacuation, four exams were in progress. UGent spokesperson Tine Dezeure explained that three of these could continue at an alternate location, while a new date will be arranged for the fourth.
The fire brigade has since cleared the building for re-entry, but the exact cause of the incident remains unknown.
