MERF lab fire reported Tuesday

A small fire was reported in a urology testing lab at the University of Iowa Medical Education and Research Facility (MERF) Tuesday, Dec. 17.

The incident occurred around 4:15 p.m. when paraffin that faculty researchers were attempting to melt caught fire. Faculty members called 911 and pulled the fire alarm but were able to put out the fire with a portable fire extinguisher.

The only reported injury was to the hand of a visiting faculty member who initially attempted to extinguish the fire by smothering it with tin foil. He was seen by paramedics but was not transported to the hospital.