UPDATE: 4:45 P.M. Utility services have been restored to McMindes Hall and students and staff are now allowed back in the Fort Hays State University building, according to reports from the scene.

Crews remain on the scene at 4 p.m. Friday at McMindes residential hall where Hays firefighters responded to a report of smoke and and water in heating tunnels beneath the building late this morning.

The building remains empty as Fort Hays State University students and staff wait for word when they may be allowed back in.

According Lisa Karlin, director of University Relations and Marketing, no one was injured. “We don’t know when residents will be allowed to return but Student Affairs will keep them informed by email,” Karlin said.

Students and staff were evacuated from the residents hall as firefighters investigated a possible electrical malfunction with a boiler, necessitating the shut off of the building’s water supply and the kitchen’s gas supply.

Firefighters have checked the structure for hazards.

Two trucks from Hertel’s Tank Service are pumping water out of the building tunnel, a process that was expected to take several hours.

Because the electrical power was shut off, Chartwells removed food from the McMindes kitchen and transported it to the student union.