143 SCAD Atlanta students relocated after accidental dorm fire

Fire in SCAD dorm room displaces 140+ students

More than 140 students are settling into new housing after an accidental fire damaged a residence hall at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta.

ATLANTA - More than 140 students are settling into new housing after an accidental fire damaged a residence hall at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta.

What we know:

The Atlanta Fire Rescue Department responded to the Atlanta Forty residence hall on Monday for a fire that started on a mattress. Building safety features put the fire out quickly, and it did not spread beyond one room.

While no one was hurt, the building sustained smoke and water damage. SCAD officials say 143 students were safely evacuated and immediately provided with other on-campus housing options.

What they're saying:

University officials say academic leaders are working with students to address individual needs. Students were escorted back into the building Tuesday to retrieve their belongings and check their rooms.

SCAD alumni, faculty, and staff are donating essential items like clothing and bedding to those affected. Brand partners that mentor students are also contributing toiletries and personal care products.

Student recounts fire

Freshman Dream Haynes says the fire started in a room across the hall from her. 

"It had a lithium battery, somehow exploded onto a mattress topper, and it caught the whole room on fire," Haynes said. 

Other students said the smoke and water destroyed their belongings, and fire marshals warned them not to keep many items. 

"None of your stuff is really salvageable except hard surfaces and everything because it was like a lithium explosion, we couldn't keep anything," Haynes said. 

Despite this, Haynes said she was thankfully able to keep something very precious to her. 

"I had a coin collection from my dad, who had passed, so I was able to take that, luckily," Haynes said. 

Many of the students also lost very expensive art supplies and equipment, and the work they've created all school year. 

"It's really devastating," another freshman added. "I didn't think that this would be how I would be finishing out my freshman year."

"I'm really just grateful for how the communities already came together. I know it's just we like it was 32 of us who lost everything," Haynes said. 

What's next:

The university confirmed that impacted residents will remain in their new on-campus housing for the rest of the academic year. This decision was made to avoid further disruption while inspections and repairs take place.

Anyone interested in donating items to the affected students can reach out to the university via email. The school continues to coordinate support efforts through its SCAD cares program.

What we don't know:

Officials have not yet released the specific cause of the mattress fire beyond labeling it accidental. It is also unclear how long the total repairs to the Atlanta Forty residence hall will take or when the building will be fully cleared for future use.