Fire at University of North Dakota Arena Causes $1.5M Damage

July 5, 2011

Authorities in Grand Forks say a small fire at the University of North Dakota’s Ralph Engelstad Arena was quickly extinguished but caused about $1.5 million in damage.

UND police noticed burning material in the upper catwalk around 1 p.m. Sunday, and more than two dozen firefighters arrived to heavy smoke.

Grand Forks Fire Department Capt. Bruce Weymier tells WDAY television that it took 3 to 4 minutes for firefighters to get hosed up to the catwalk from the stairwells. They used 150 gallons of water to fight flames for four minutes.

Firefighters believe a speaker caught fire and fell onto the ice but the exact cause is under investigation.

The arena suffered smoke damage and damage to electronics and ice.