THE TAN YAN KEE Student Center was hit by a brief power outage on the afternoon of Wednesday, Aug. 21, after an electrical breaker on the building’s third floor suffered a short circuit.
Power was disrupted in the building at about 2:30 p.m., prompting employees and students to vacate their rooms and gather in the lobby as an alarm rang out.
Because of the foul odor of burning electronics, they were asked to head outside the building subsequently as University engineers responded to the situation.
According to Fr. Dexter Austria, O.P., director of the Facilities Management Office (FMO), a short circuit affecting an electrical breaker on the third floor caused the brief power outage.
“For safety reasons, pina-turn off lang kanina (electricity),” he told the Varsitarian. “Ngayon may power na except for the aircons sa may Campus Ministry. We are working on this now.”
Electricity was restored after about 25 minutes. All employees and students were permitted to return to their rooms at about 3:09 p.m. after the Campus Safety and Security Office and the FMO conducted their assessments.
Contrary to some reports, Austria clarified that the short circuit did not cause a fire.
“Everything is back to normal,” he said. “Kung gusto niyo po mag-proceed, prepare lang doon sa amoy.”
Assoc. Prof. Juliano S. Parena Jr., Campus Safety and Security director, advised those staying on the building’s third floor to stay clear from the area as FMO personnel were still addressing the issue.
Austria said the FMO would be replacing the cables affected by the short circuit.
The Tan Yan Kee Student Center houses various student organizations and University-wide offices, such as the Office for Admissions and Office for Student Affairs. Sydney Venice V. Berba and Amador Denzel M. Teston
