Fire alarms in The New School’s University Center (63 Fifth Ave.) and Kerrey Hall (65 Fifth Ave.) were set off around 7:18 p.m. Monday evening, resulting in the immediate evacuation of both buildings. Three fire trucks arrived outside of the University Center and firefighters entered the building within minutes of the alarm as students gathered outside on the sidewalks. Shortly after 7:30 p.m., the buildings were cleared for reentry.

“A sensor in the University Center’s Compactor Room was inadvertently triggered, setting off the fire alarm in the building. The New York Fire Department responded and determined that there was no fire or danger to any persons within the University Center,” New School spokesperson Merrie Snead said to The New School Free Press in an official statement.

Firefighter Connolly of Ladder 3 & Battalion 6 Fire Station corroborated the university’s statement, and added, “we were in and out; the workers [at The New School] had it under control, so they didn’t really need us.”

A group of students outside of Kerrey Hall said that despite a lack of information provided to them during the incident, no one seemed concerned as they were walking out of the building. “We’re very used to [fire alarms],” said Yaira Doyle, a New School student and a resident of Kerrey Hall. 

Many students expressed frustration at the frequent disruption of their classes and daily lives. Hundreds of students were recently relocated from their dorms at 301 Residence Hall following gas line issues inside the building.

At the time of publication, The New School had not provided the student body with an explanation for the fire alarm.