fire Archives

Firefighters work near the rose window of Notre Dame cathedral on Tuesday following the devastating fire Monday night in Paris. Experts are assessing the blackened shell of Paris' iconic cathedral to determine what artifacts can be saved and what has been lost in the blaze. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

‘A symbol of resilience’

Three Northeastern students who watched the Notre Dame cathedral burn on Monday in Paris as firefighters tried to contain the blaze described their experiences, recollections, and feelings about the historic landmark, which has drawn more than 13 million visitors per year.

by David Harbeck April 16, 2019

Sam Haas, fifth-year student, Jackie Arce, fourth-year student, and Margraret Krause, second-year student, sort though donations during the Hemenway Fire Clothing Drive, held in the Center for Intercultural Engagement, to organize aid and supplies for residents affected by the 10/27 Hemenway fire. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

Students organize donation drive for classmates affected by apartment fire

On Thursday and Friday, Northeastern students will be collecting items to donate to fellow students affected by the Hemenway Street fire. People can donate bedding, backpacks, toiletries, school supplies, shoes, clothing—anything to support the recovery process.

by Aria Bracci October 31, 2018

A firefighter battling wildfires in the western United States typically wears a bandanna.

Fighting wildfires is a dangerous job. These researchers have a plan to make it safer.

Chiara Bellini and Jessica Oakes, assistant professors of bioengineering at Northeastern, recently received a $1.5 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to study the health consequences of smoke inhalation on wildland firefighters.

by Laura Castañón October 30, 2018

Firefighters work to control the multi-alarm fire at 104 Hemenway St. on Oct. 27, 2018. Photos by Lauren Scornavacca for Northeastern University

Northeastern responds to needs of students displaced by fire

The university is working to help students who were displaced by a fire that destroyed an apartment building on Hemenway St. on Saturday.

by Aria Bracci October 29, 2018

LONDON, UK- JUNE 14, 2017 Members of the public gather to watch a huge fire at the Grenfell tower block in west London. The blaze engulfed the 27-storey building with hundreds of firefighters attending the scene. There are reports of people trapped in the building and multiple fatalities. (Photo by Ben Cawthra) (Sipa via AP Images)

London fire: How structures, and people, can withstand trauma

Early Wednesday morning, a deadly fire erupted in a high-rise apartment building in London—one of the worst in the city’s history. The blaze came on the heels of three recent tragedies in the U.K., prompting us to ask two professors how both buildings and humans can remain resilient under intense stress.

by Molly Callahan June 15, 2017

Why hoverboards explode

Northeastern research professor K.M. Abraham goes inside the self-balancing scooters to reveal the science behind their combustion.

by Thea Singer February 24, 2016

Photo credit: Flickr, Ben Larcey/urbanwheel.co

Amid safety concerns, Northeastern bans indoor use and charging of hoverboards

A university message cited recent safety concerns by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission that certain models of hoverboards have been reported to catch fire during use and while being charged.

by Greg St. Martin January 25, 2016

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