Campus Alert Archive
SUBR

Tent Installation Crew Strikes Gas Line Between Fisher and Hayden Halls, Sending Hazmat to Southern University

LAgas leakadvisorymedium confidence
Confirmed Threat

On October 17, 2024, workers installing a tent on Southern University's Baton Rouge campus accidentally struck a gas line between Fisher Hall and Frank Hayden Hall. The Baton Rouge Fire Department's hazmat team was called and the line was shut off relatively quickly, and no evacuations or street closures were ordered. University officials asked students and faculty to avoid the area between the two buildings as a precaution.

Alerts
2
Response
—
Killed
—
Injured
—
Institution
Southern University and A&M College
Hbcu · LA
~6,500 studentsSU Alert
Confirmed Timeline

Alert Sequence

2 messages in sequence

Some alert texts below are approximate reconstructions from news coverage, not confirmed verbatim transcripts. Reconstructed texts are shown in italic with a dashed border. Verified verbatim texts have a solid border and are marked accordingly.

INITIAL ALERTWebsite
Approximate reconstruction276 chars
Southern University is asking students and faculty to avoid an area between two buildings on campus due to a reported major gas leak. The affected area is between Fisher Hall and Frank Hayden Hall. Please avoid this area until further notice. Emergency personnel are on scene.

This text has been reconstructed from news coverage and may not reflect the exact original wording.

Reconstructed from WBRZ reporting; exact wording of advisory not confirmed from official university archive
No evacuation of buildings was ordered; the advisory was to avoid the outdoor area between the two halls
The gas line was struck when workers were installing event tenting on campus
ALL CLEARWebsite
Approximate reconstruction162 chars
The gas leak at Southern University between Fisher Hall and Frank Hayden Hall has been repaired. Normal campus operations may resume. Thank you for your patience.

This text has been reconstructed from news coverage and may not reflect the exact original wording.

Reconstructed from WBRZ News 2 follow-up coverage; exact wording not confirmed
Facility service plumbers completed the repair on the same day the incident was reported
No injuries were reported throughout the incident
Context

Background

Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge is the flagship institution of the Southern University System and one of the largest HBCUs in the United States. Fisher Hall and Frank Hayden Hall are both administrative and academic buildings on the core Baton Rouge campus. The October 17, 2024 gas leak was caused by construction workers installing a tent who accidentally struck an underground gas line. According to Baton Rouge Fire Department officials, hazmat crews had the leak under control quickly after shutting off the line. The gas leak was one of multiple safety incidents at Southern University's Baton Rouge campus in the 2024-2025 academic year, which also included a suspicious item that prompted a Fisher Hall evacuation in September 2025 and a library threat in late September 2025. Southern's aging campus infrastructure has faced sustained scrutiny; a state audit described the campus as having 'potentially hazardous conditions' due to deferred maintenance.
Outcome
No injuries. Hazmat team shut off gas line. No evacuations or street closures. Gas line repaired by facility service plumbers. Normal campus operations resumed the same day.
Provenance

Sources

  1. News
    Gas leak reported at Southern University; fire officials confirm gas line has since been shut off - WBRZ
    wbrz.com
  2. News
    Gas line repaired after leak at Southern University - WBRZ
    wbrz.com
  3. News
    Audit: Southern University campus has potentially hazardous conditions - The Advocate
    theadvocate.com
Tags
gas-leakhazmathbculouisianabaton-rougeconstruction-incidentdeferred-maintenancesouthern-university
Added May 2026Updated May 2026Via ingestion