Lamp Explodes, Causing Small Fire In Kirkland House

A halogen floor-lamp blew up, setting a rug and several electrical wires on fire around 7:30 p.m. last night at Kirkland House.

Students evacuated the house and no one was injured in the incident.

The small fire charred part of the floor of Kirkland L-21 and filled the room with smoke.

The fire occurred near a computer, and wires leading from the machine were ignited by sparks from the exploding lamp. The wires then burned through the rug and to the floor.

The Cambridge Fire Department sent a full first alarm company, including two ladder trucks, three engine companies and a heavy rescue truck, according to Acting Deputy Chief Stephen J. Boyle.

"That's standard for this kind of building," Boyle said.