Hopkins dormitory, shops evacuated for smoke

fire stopped by sprinklers

A small fire on the first floor of a Johns Hopkins University dormitory in North Baltimore filled the six-story building with smoke and forced the evacuation of students, office workers and shoppers at several street-level stores.

No injuries were reported.

Inspector Michael Maybin, a Fire Department spokesman, said sprinklers extinguished the fire, which began about 2 p.m. in an electrical panel in the Homewood Apartments in the 3000 block of N. Charles St. Officials said the panel was being repaired by Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. workers.

A university spokesman, Dennis O'Shea, said smoke filled the building, which includes four floors of student housing. Most students were absent on winter break. Several stores, including a coffee shop, a record store and a hair salon, were closed temporarily.

Pub Date: 12/31/99