University Replaces Boilers after Explosion

by Melody Gustafson
EAST LIVERPOOL – A crew worked Saturday to replace the two boilers that sustained damage from an explosion Wednesday morning.

According to Henry Trenkelbach, business manager at the Kent State University East Liverpool and Salem branches, “Nothing was damaged in the basement except the boilers themselves.”

Until workers replace the flue from basement to roof, which is expected to take a few weeks, the workers will temporarily run a vent from the boilers out of the window.

A structural inspector from Pennsylvania examined the chimney and found no cracks in the outside layer of brick except for the section that extends above the roof of the building.

Because the approximately 15 feet of chimney above the roof is ruined, the university will remove it immediately and eventually replace it. Part of the third floor is closed off for safety reasons until workers finish.

Classes in the building will proceed as scheduled on January 14.