Small explosion halts chemistry class

A beginning chemistry class in PH1-141 was shut down Thursday after an instructor performed class demonstration went wrong and exploded in the classroom.

The explosion damaged the classroom's ceiling tiles, said Richard Johnson, associate director of environmental health and safety.

"I believe the instructor was trying to show the energy potential of fuel gasses with a balloon," Johnson said. "He filled it up too far and it popped. But I haven't completed the paperwork yet."

The incident, which was reported at 3:21 p.m., was reportedly loud.

"It made a lot of noise and scared people," said University Police Sgt. Scott Brown, who assisted on the incident. "When the balloon was ignited with the fuel it made a kaboom," Johnson said.

The building was inspected and used again on Friday.

"The building became over pressurized by the incident and damaged some lighting fixtures," Johnson said.

Brown said University Police was not planning to investigate the incident.

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