Western Kentucky University sophomore dies in off-campus fire in Bowling Green, Kentucky
Third fatal fire of the 2014/2015 academic year
BELCHERTOWN, Mass. October 31, 2014 –Tyler English, a 20-year-old Western Kentucky University sophomore, was killed this morning in an off-campus fire. According to WKU Director of Media Relations Bob Skipper, English was majoring in Construction Management and was from Louisville, Kentucky. Another occupant was injured and transported to the hospital, but his condition is unknown at this time, according to the Bowling Green Fire Department.

A call at 5:13 a.m. reported a fire at 635 East Main Street, said Bowling Green Fire Department Public Information Officer Marlee Boenig. Upon arrival, fire crews encountered heavy smoke in the two-story building that had originally been a single-family home, converted into apartments, but then converted back into a single-family. There were four people on the lease, but it is unknown how many people were in the building when the fire broke out.

The fire is under investigation at this time.

This is the third fatal fire of the 2014/2015 academic year, all in off-campus occupancies. Since 2000, 169 people have been killed in campus-related fires, with 87% of them occurring in off-campus occupancies, according to information compiled by Campus Firewatch. Common factors in a number of these fires include:

Missing or disabled smoke alarms
Careless disposal of smoking materials
Lack of a second exit
Fires starting in couches on porches or decks
Since 2000, there has been a definite downward trend to campus-related fire deaths since its peak in 2006-2007 with 20 fatalities, and the lowest number last academic year with four fire deaths. Off-campus housing is still the greatest risk where over four out of five fire deaths have occurred since 2000. The last fatal fire in a fraternity was 2006 and the last residence hall fire death occurred in 2005, a testimony to the strong efforts being made by schools and communities across the country.

Since 2000, there has been a definite downward trend to campus-related fire deaths since its peak in 2006-2007 with 20 fatalities, and the lowest number last academic year with four fire deaths. Off-campus housing is still the greatest risk where over four out of five fire deaths have occurred since 2000. The last fatal fire in a fraternity was 2006 and the last residence hall fire death occurred in 2005, a testimony to the strong efforts being made by schools and communities across the country.

Information on campus fire safety is available from Campus Firewatch, including a Campus Firewatch Information Sheet, a map showing the locations and details of campus-related fires since 2000 as well as educational material, including the video documentary 9 Fires and The Alarming Truth.