The Daily Egyptian is published by the students of SIU at Carbondale. Except during vacations and exam weeks, The Daily Egyptian is published Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and TWThF during the summer semester."

Two students face felony charges in elevator fire

Two SIUC freshmen were arrested and charged this morning with aggravated arson in a residence hall elevator, University officials said.

Department of Public Safety Director Todd Sigler said Robert C. Black, 20, of Jacksonville and Jeffrey T. Burk, 18, of Willowbrook were charged with aggravated arson for starting a fire in the front lobby elevator of University Hall, 1101 S. Wall St. A University hearing for Black and Burk will be scheduled for early next week, said Larry Dietz, vice chancellor for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. He also said the administration has suspended both students, who were residents of the hall.

Police reports of the incident have been turned into the Jackson County State's Attorney's Office, and both Black and Burk remain in Jackson County Jail in Murphysboro. Bond has not been set.

University Hall residents were evacuated from their rooms at 4:02 a.m. after the fire broke out in an elevator. Sigler said while the blaze remained in the elevator, smoke "overwhelmed" the third and fourth floors of the building.

University officials reported no injuries from the incident. Residents were allowed to enter the building at 5:30 a.m.

Sigler refused to comment on why Black and Burk were under suspicion or how the fire was started "for respect of what may eventually have to be talked about on testimony in a trial."

Dwain Cocke oversees maintenance for University Housing buildings. He said the cost of the damages has yet to be determined.

Cocke also said the elevator will be repaired this weekend and should be operating next week.

 

 

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