Faulty air-conditioning system. At 17,000 square feet, the rink is just short of being Olympic size. For varsity games the arena can seat 850. Seating also can be configured for 1,500 persons for large campus events.
No injuries in three-alarm campus fire
WINONA, Minn. — A fire broke out in the Saint Mary’s University hockey arena and dropped air-conditioning ductwork 18 feet to the floor. The arena was not occupied at the time. There were no injuries. The fire generated temperatures exceeding 190 degrees where the ducts burned off at a 90-elbow. This was about 10:20 p.m. Firefighters entered a rear door and immediately smelled something burning. Firefighters climbed a 35-foot extension ladder inside the arena to access a toggle switch near the air-conditioning unit. The unit was still operating. Power off, temperatures dropped rapidly. A second firefighting crew used a ladder to reach a valve to shut off natural gas. A third crew on an aerial ladder surveyed the roof for additional ductwork and appliances before deciding there was no further danger.
Arena 36 years old. The 30,000 square foot facility replaced an inflatable dome for varsity hockey in 1990.