Smoke fills business center classroom, some final exams delayed

May 15, 2026 - 03:49

Around 12:45 p.m. on May 14, a sophomore at Elon named Reese Hurwitch reported seeing and smelling smoke coming from her classroom on the third floor of the Koury Business Center, specifically in room 310. The incident caused a disruption to the end-of-semester schedule, with some final exams being delayed as a result.

According to Brandon Waddell, division chief for the Town of Elon Police, the smoke was caused by an issue with the building's HVAC system in that particular classroom. The problem did not escalate into a fire, but the smoke was enough to force an evacuation and halt testing in the area. Emergency crews responded to the scene to assess the situation and ensure the building was safe before allowing anyone back inside.

University officials worked to reschedule the affected exams, though specific details on the new times and locations were not immediately released. Students in the building were told to wait outside while the ventilation issue was addressed. No injuries were reported, and the building was cleared for use later in the afternoon.