This story is developing and will continue to be updated.
Harnwell College House was evacuated on Monday due to a “facilities emergency” earlier in the afternoon.
Students were first alerted to the incident by the building’s alarm system, which repeatedly instructed residents not to use the elevators and instead exit through the stairwells. Water could be seen leaking from the lobby’s ceiling from the outside of the building, which Senior Associate Director of Building Operations Paul Forchielli attributed to “sprinkler discharge” in a Monday email to Harnwell residents.
In a separate Feb. 9 email to Harnwell residents, House Director Megan Jimmerson wrote “we are experiencing a facilities emergency in our lobby.”
“Unfortunately, the front doors and lobby of Harnwell are not accessible,” Jimmerson added. “If you are in the building, you are welcome to return to your rooms. If you would like to leave, you can do so out the emergency exists in the side stairwells or the back mezzanine doors.”
A request for comment was left with Penn’s Division of Facilities and Real Estate Services.
According to the email, Harnwell’s elevator system also closed as a result of the situation.
“Please be prepared to show your PennCard,” Jimmerson wrote. “Allied Security may also confirm your name using our building roster. This is for all of our safety while the lobby is closed.”
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Shortly after the evacuation, students began reentering the building through accessible doors.
The issue comes after a similar incident at Harrison College House on Monday, when “a heating fan coil broke on the third floor,” according to an email sent to all residents.
According to Forchielli, “the subsequent flooding has impacted portions of the lobby, first, second and third floors.”
Over the past few weeks, several other Penn buildings experienced leaks and infrastructure damages due to freezing temperatures.
In January, the lobby of Platt Student Performing Arts House was impacted by a “major leak” that required them to close the lobby. Days later, flooding was reported in King’s Court English College House and the ARCH building.
Harnwell also experienced a leak “on the water supply line” that led to a temporary shutdown of water service earlier this month. Students were told to anticipate “a possible service disruption.”
Staff reporter Luke Peterson contributed reporting.
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Staff reporter Lavanya Mani covers legal affairs and can be reached at mani@thedp.com. At Penn, she studies English. Follow her on X @lavanyamani_.
