Fire echo

Emidio Attard, manager estates and works at the University, has written to us about the recent fire at the University:

"I would like to express solidarity with the two professors whose life's work was hard hit by the fire. As expressed by 'Ibn Campusino', I would emphasise the need of continuous funds to make the campus secure and safe. Despite the lack of funds (a situation shared by all institutions), however, there is a continuous maintenance programme at the University.

"The Humanities Building has been refurbished and all the staff were satisfied with the upgrading. This upgrading was completed less than five weeks ago. The new lighting system increased the illumination, new soffits were installed in some areas, some ceilings were painted with special textured paint and walls were all covered with good quality paint. Moreover the floors were repolished.

"What is indeed worrying," Mr Attard warns, "is the selfish behaviour of some members of staff who leave appliances switched on overnight. Such an irresponsible practice is hazardous to any building, even one whose electrical circuiting and lighting has recently been changed."