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Pratt fire caused by faulty electrical wiring, investigators say

Pratt fire caused by faulty electrical wiring, investigators say
Photo by Paul Martinka

It was a sad brushstroke of fate.

Pratt Institute’s classes have resumed after a four-alarm fire devastated its main campus building early Feb. 15, destroying student art work, collapsing a section of the roof, and causing water damage throughout the landmark structure.

The fire was an accident, fire marshals said, caused by electrical wiring on the top floor of the 126-year-old Willoughby Avenue building, located between Emerson Place and Hall Street.

The flames erupted at 2:15 am, blazing for two hours before the fire department brought it under control. There were no injuries.

“The six-story building’s roof and its sixth floor were gutted,” the institute said in a statement.

The fifth floor was also badly damaged by the flames, it said. Pratt relocated all classes and offices formerly inside the main building by Feb. 19.

Reach reporter Jaime Lutz at jlutz@cnglocal.com or by calling (718) 260-8310. Follow her on Twitter @jaime_lutz.

Painting professor Dennis Masback, who has been teaching at Pratt for 20 years, consoles his students Madeline Mikola, left, who lost 10 works of art in the blaze, and Rebecca Warlick, who lost 16 paintings in the fire.
Photo by Paul Martinka