Investigation Into WKU
Residence Hall Fire Continues
May 05, 2003
Bowling Green, Ky. - The investigation into a fire in a Western Kentucky University residence hall that injured a student Sunday is continuing.
Melissa K. Autry, a freshman from Pellville, Ky., was injured in a fire in her room in Hugh Poland Hall about 4 a.m. The fire was extinguished by the hall's sprinkler system and Autry was rescued by Bowling Green firefighters. She was taken to the Medical Center at Bowling Green and transferred to Vanderbilt University Hospital.
Autry was admitted to the hospital's burn unit in critical condition. Autry also had superficial puncture wounds that were not life-threatening, and investigators are trying to determine when she incurred those wounds.
The investigation is being led by Western Kentucky University Police in cooperation with the Kentucky State Fire Marshal's Office, Kentucky State Police and Bowling Green Fire Department.
As the investigation continues, the University has implemented additional security measures in Poland Hall. A police officer has been stationed in the hall for the remainder of the semester and the staff at the front desk has been doubled. Resident assistants from other halls have volunteered to stay in Poland to help residents feel more secure.
Anyone with information about the fire can call WKU Police at (270) 745-2548.
For more information, contact Bob Skipper at (270) 745-4295. More WKU news is available on the World Wide Web at www.wku.edu. If you'd like to receive WKU news via e-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.
