Minor gas canister explosion forces evacuation of Molecular Sciences Building
A UCLA Fire Department vehicle is pictured outside the Molecular Sciences Building. The department, alongside the UCLA Police Department and the Los Angeles Fire Department, responded to a minor gas canister explosion early Tuesday morning. (Andrew Diaz/Daily Bruin)
This post was updated April 1 at 11:14 p.m.
Emergency services evacuated the Molecular Sciences Building early Tuesday morning.
A gas canister exceeded its pressure threshold, causing a minor explosion in the building around 6 a.m. Tuesday, said Steve Lurie, the associate vice chancellor for campus and community safety. The explosion triggered the building’s sprinklers, which led to the evacuation, he added.
Lurie said no injuries had been reported as of around 7:20 a.m., adding that the Los Angeles Fire Department, UCLA Fire Department and UCLA Police Department responded to the incident. He added that some LAFD trucks left the site around that time.
UCLA Fire Marshal Ricardo Barboza said the explosion occurred in a fume hood that had been set up for a research experiment, adding that UCLA Environment, Health & Safety will test water to check for contamination. Barboza added that the building’s microbiology wing was open as of around 8 a.m.
People should avoid the Molecular Sciences Building and expect traffic delays in the area, according to Bruins Safe Online.
Former LAFD Chief Kristen Crowley was outside the building as of around 7:20 a.m. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass fired Crowley from her position as chief in February following the January fires across LA County, but Crowley remains employed by the department.
[Related: LA City Council rejects former LAFD Chief Kristen Crowley’s appeal for restoration]
A “hazardous materials incident” occurred at the building, according to a UCPD post on the social media platform X. However, Lurie said no hazardous materials were released in the building to his knowledge.
Lurie said he does not know when the building will be reopened, adding that Charles E. Young Drive was closed outside the building as of around 7:20 a.m., and campus buses were rerouted.
Shane White, a professor in the School of Dentistry, said the incident was unfortunate.
“These things happened, and I’m impressed with the recovery and safety efforts,” said White, who was previously the chair of the UCLA Academic Senate.
This is an ongoing story and will be updated when more information becomes available.
Contributing reports from Anthony Folsom II and Dylan Winward, Daily Bruin staff.
