Fire Department

On Thursday, January 22, 2009 at 11:04 AM, a construction company working on an addition to the Bio Chemical Building located at 433 Babcock Drive, was replacing a new sewer when a water line broke. This caused the trench to fill up with water and mud, which collapsed on a 6" gas pipe. A 1" - 2" gash in the gas main resulted in the closing of Westbound University Avenue, Henry Mall, Babcock and Linden Drive.

Vehicle and pedestrian traffic around the area was also halted. Five UW buildings on Linden, on the North side between Henry Mall and Babcock were all evacuated.Around 12:12 PM, all vehicle and pedestrian traffic was reopened, but no one was allowed to enter the buildings until an all clear and the fire alarms were reset by UW Police. The Bio Chemical Building was the last building to reopen to students and faculty.

No one was injured.

UW PD, Madison PD along with Engine 4 assisted at the scene.