Fire at Delft University - No Casualties

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a fire at the Faculty of Architecture at Delft University, focusing on the impact of the incident, the response from the university, and reflections on the loss of academic work and historical materials. The conversation touches on emotional responses to such events and the importance of data backup in academic settings.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express sadness over the fire, noting it as a significant loss for science and the academic community.
  • There are conflicting reports about which department was affected, with some stating it is the civil engineering department while others confirm it is the Faculty of Architecture.
  • A participant shares a link to a news article detailing the fire and its ongoing status, emphasizing the evacuation and safety of individuals.
  • Reflections on the emotional impact of losing historical works and the significance of such losses are shared, with comparisons made to past incidents involving libraries.
  • Concerns about data backup practices are raised, with participants discussing the inadequacy of common backup methods in the face of disasters like fires.
  • One participant mentions a friend's experience with fire officials enforcing safety regulations, highlighting the tension between safety measures and daily operations in academic environments.
  • Visual evidence of the damage to the building is shared, indicating the extent of the destruction.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a shared concern for the safety of individuals involved and the emotional impact of the fire. However, there is no consensus on the specifics of the affected department, and differing views on the importance of data backup practices are evident.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference various sources and personal anecdotes, indicating a mix of factual reporting and subjective emotional responses. The discussion highlights the complexities of valuing both human safety and the loss of academic resources.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in academic safety protocols, data management practices, and the emotional implications of loss in educational contexts may find this discussion relevant.

Andre
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That's in Delft.

I'm witnessing it from my appartment in Holland:

tu-Delft-burns.png


No casualities but it's a very sad day for science.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Seems related:
http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2008/05/massive_fire_destroys_delfts_a.php
 
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I read in a newspaper that it is the civil engineering department that's on fire... :bugeye:
Terrible !
 
http://home.tudelft.nl/en/
says
"No injuries reported in fire at Faculty of Architecture"

http://www.tudelft.nl/live/pagina.jsp?id=fe4e29d1-c634-46ba-a042-9825b799e1e4&lang=en
says
"Fire at TU Delft 13.30
13 May 2008 by M&C

This morning, just before half past nine, a fire was reported at the Faculty of Architecture. Everyone could leave the building immediately during the evacuation.

At 12.15 the fire was still not yet under control. People who live in the vicinity of the campus and staff and students at TU Delft are advised to keep all doors and windows closed until further notice.

Staff and students of the Architecture faculty and other evacuees have been taken to the Aula. Although there were no personal accidents, we regret the loss of the work of staff and students and a number of collections. Information will be sent out shortly when the Architecture lectures will be resumed. TU Delft's Executive Board is currently investigating at which alternative locations staff and students of the Architecture faculty can be housed."
 
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:frown: that's awful!
 
Once a very old library was on fire in Paris. Some books, several hundreds years old, disappeared into smoke and ahses. I must admit, that day I was more affected by this than by other news involving human deaths. It was strange to me at this time to realize that I did not feel ashamed for those feelings.
 
humanino said:
Once a very old library was on fire in Paris. Some books, several hundreds years old, disappeared into smoke and ahses. I must admit, that day I was more affected by this than by other news involving human deaths. It was strange to me at this time to realize that I did not feel ashamed for those feelings.
Those works that were destroyed were someone's life, in a way.
 
Good that everyone was ok.
 
Right, it's indeed the factulty of "bouwkunde", construction and architecture,

http://www.tudelft.nl/live/pagina.jsp?id=b226846d-f19f-4c34-97ed-165fecc5ad8f&lang=nl
 
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  • #10
Oh my goodness! This makes me want to back up my data.

A friend of mine at another Dutch university was just complaining to me that the fire officials are insisting that they remove their coffee machine because it is a fire hazard.
 
  • #11
oedipa maas said:
Oh my goodness! This makes me want to back up my data.

Indeed, people often don't take data backup seriously enough. Two copies in your office is not a backup.

Nonetheless, even with backup, with a fire like that, you lose equipment and ongoing work that could take years to set up again. Very unfortunate. Glad all the people got out safely though; that's the most important thing.
 
  • #12
Moonbear said:
Indeed, people often don't take data backup seriously enough. Two copies in your office is not a backup.
People have no clue. When I was the network administrator for a large ophthalmic medical practice, I insisted on off-site backups for all the financials, at the minimum. They had a bit of a clue before I got there, but the business office manager thought that an adequate backup was driving around with a weekly summary of the receivables in print-out form in her trunk. Duh!
 
  • #13
That sucks. There were some very old books in that building. :frown:
 
  • #14
oedipa maas said:
A friend of mine at another Dutch university was just complaining to me that the fire officials are insisting that they remove their coffee machine because it is a fire hazard.

I once worked with a Dutch postdoc, who worked at night, and needed a lot of strong coffee. Dangerous guy !
 
  • #15
http://www.nu.nl/img.db/1566153+s(350!x234!)

The building is pretty much completely destroyed.
 
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