WXOW News 19 La Crosse, WI – News, Weather and Sports |Drake Residents Displaced for 2-4 Weeks

LA CROSSE, WI(WXOW)--The UW-La Crosse released photos Tuesday of the Drake Hall basement--showing the extensive damage caused by the fire.

The fire affected the lounge, hallway, and the kitchen area. While authorities have ruled out an electrical fire, one caused by a heater or an accelerant--there's still no word on the cause. 

Chancellor Joe Gow released a statement that said students won't be permitted into their dorm rooms at Drake for two to four weeks. They've received mattresses, sheets, blankets and pillows while staying in other dorms. But, the set up is not ideal for an extended period. 

Gow said the residence life staff is looking into options for housing the Drake residents over a period of weeks versus days. 

Gow said they've sent emails to all Drake students asking about their preference when it comes to room accommodations in the mean time. Options such as vacancies in other UW-L residence halls, possible hotel rooms, and off-campus homes of faculty and staff who've volunteered to take Drake residents in have been discussed.

Angie Lee the UW-L Student Coordinator is one of those volunteers.

"There's a room in my house that I'm able to open up to and give a student a chance to regain some footing and have a normal place to go and still continue on with their academics and hope that it's not too much of a disruption give them a little stability while we're going through this."

Chancellor Joe Gow said if you have a room or rooms in your own home that you'd like to offer you can contact the Residence Life Office--608-785-8075.