Fork Union Military Academy Press Release
FUMA begins clean up after Snead Hall fire

Band Company temporarily relocated into Alpha and Bravo Companies

Fork Union, VA - February 13, 2009 - On Thursday, February 12, 2009, at 5:22 p.m. a fire was reported on the campus of Fork Union Military Academy.  The smoldering fire began on the first floor latrine of Band Company in Snead Hall.  The fire occurred at a time when most cadets were at dinner and not in the building, and it was quickly contained by members of the Fluvanna County and Lake Monticello fire departments.
 
The damage was limited to the latrines on all three floors, with some of the cadets' quarters affected by minor smoke damage.  The cadets housed in Band Company were relocated to Alpha and Bravo companies (both also in Snead Hall) in a well-organized manner, and were able to participate in a partial CQ study time before Taps was sounded for the night.

The cause of the fire is not clear and under investigation at this time.  The timetable for the Band Company cadets to move back into their original housing will be determined by the clean-up efforts, which began in earnest on Friday, February 13.

The Academy would like to express its gratitude to the men and women of the Fluvanna County and Lake Monticello fire departments for their rapid response to the emergency and their professional handling of the situation.  Thanks are also extended to the many faculty and staff members who reported to campus to assist in any way possible.  The Academy appreciates your thought s and prayers during the recovery time from this event.

Any questions should be directed to the President's Office at the Academy at (434) 842-4321 or 4323.
 
About Fork Union Military Academy
Fork Union Military Academy in Fork Union, Virginia, is a college
preparatory, military boarding school for young men in Grades 6
through 12 and postgraduates. Affiliated with the Baptist General
Association of Virginia and open to those of all religious
denominations, Fork Union was founded in 1898 and has a rich
tradition promoting character, leadership, and scholarship.
Upper School students follow a unique "One-Subject Plan" of
study, concentrating on a single major subject every seven
weeks.
 
Call 1-800-GO-2-FUMA (1-800-462-3862) for more information
on admissions.
 
Visit us on the web at: http://www.forkunion.com
 
Fork Union Military Academy
Dan Thompson
Director of Communications