Heidelberg to demolish dorm damaged in fire

TIFFIN - A Heidelberg College dormitory damaged in a fire will be demolished later this year.

The university's board of trustees decided to build a new $4 million dormitory instead of repairing the 93-year-old building.

The decision had more to do with safety concerns than with the cost of rebuilding the hall, which was in need of major structural work not associated with the fire, said Heidelberg President Richard Owens.

Williard Hall caught fire while students were sleeping Jan. 22. Investigators said the fire started from an electrical short in the attic.

None of the 63 residents was injured, but the building's roof, attic, and several third floor rooms were destroyed.

The English Gothic has a limestone exterior and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The new building will be called Williard Hall and will be a replica of the existing building.