JMU accommodating students displaced by Garber Hall fire

James Madison University officials continue working to accommodate Garber Hall student residents after a fire impacted one suite of one section on the hall’s third floor.     

Thursday night (Feb. 13) around 9 p.m., public safety officials responded to Garber Hall for a reported fire on the third floor. All students were safely evacuated and there were no reported injuries.     

Hotel space was provided by the university overnight for the impacted students. Approximately 50 rooms were utilized and other students returned home with their family or stayed with friends.     

Two sections of Garber Hall were re-opened this afternoon (Fri., Feb. 14) for residents to return to their rooms.    

For the students in the section (A section) of the hall where the fire occurred, the university has provided a hotel for several nights to allow for crews to finish cleaning until those students can return as well.    

“The university is incredibly grateful for the collaboration of partners across campus, the resident advisers and hall director helping support their peers, and our local public safety community,” said Mary-Hope Vass, JMU’s assistant vice president of communications and spokesperson. “Our priority remains the safety and well-being of our students.”     

A total of 202 students reside in Garber Hall.