Last Thursday night, a fire on the third floor of the Dimple Newsome Living and Learning Center at Shaw University forced students to evacuate and led to the dorm being closed for repairs. Dozens of freshmen, already coping with intermittent heat and hot-water issues, were temporarily moved into hotels—far from the campus housing experience they expected. Families are now seeking answers from university officials, with some parents requesting refunds or considering transfers due to concerns about the safety of Shaw’s residence halls.
Hotel Stays, Thin Meal Plans, and Parents Asking for Cash Back
Students told reporters they were being housed at a Best Western in Garner, with Shaw covering the hotel costs, though meals beyond breakfast could be limited, according to ABC11. Celeste Walls, whose nephew was affected, said he wants to transfer and that the family has requested reimbursement after some of his belongings were reportedly stolen.
Inspection Violations Surface After the Fire
Public records cited by local media show that a state-mandated fire inspection in late December identified six violations, including missed alarm testing and issues with standpipe maintenance, raising new questions about the building’s safety before the fire, WRAL reported. Raleigh officials told WRAL that the fire damage was mostly limited to a single third-floor room, but firefighters also noted that the dorm’s alarm system was not functioning during their response.
Space Heater Blamed, Students Say Hallway Alarm Never Sounded
An ABC11 I-Team review indicates the fire likely started in room 313 when a space heater plugged into an extension cord ignited bedding. Students reported that the hallway smoke alarm never activated, so they went door to door to wake their neighbors. No students or firefighters were injured, but residents told reporters that the sudden evacuation and hurried move-out added stress to their already busy class schedules.
Shaw Scrambles for Housing While Families Wait for Answers
Shaw University says it is arranging alternative housing and that the Dimple Newsome residence hall will remain closed while crews assess the damage and make repairs, though officials have not provided a reopening timeline. The Raleigh Fire Department’s investigation is ongoing, and families are seeking clearer information on planned safety improvements and how reimbursements will be handled as students complete the semester from hotel rooms.
