Duke students who set fires on campus Saturday night after a basketball win over the University of North Carolina could face serious consequences.
A celebratory bonfire is a decades-long tradition. Blue Devils fans typically celebrate a home win over the rival Tar Heels, but those fires require a permit –something missing from Saturday's fiery impromptu party.
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WRAL's Sky 5 captured hundreds of people gathered on Duke's West Campus after the game when a small fire was lit. People could be seen throwing items to stoke the fire, squirting accelerant and, eventually, overturning a bench to burn.
The lack of a burn permit and the use of accelerant concern university administrators. Saturday's fire could jeopardize requests for permits in the future.
Duke sophomore Anthony Salgado said the fire should not have been a surprise.
“I wasn’t really shocked to be honest. I am surprised the administration didn’t expect it, if anything,” he said.
Salgado pointed to two years of pandemic, pent up anticipation and one of the biggest games of the year.
“This year, not only did we win. We came back. It’s Coach K’s last year, and we get to tent. It’s just like all those factors combined, you can see why people would burn a bench or something," he said.
“There is no question that we want to celebrate. We will celebrate, but we’re going to do it safely and within the guidelines that had been established for decades,” said Michael Schoenfeld, Duke’s chief communication officer.
“That said, we are working very closely with and have a very strong relationship with Durham city officials, and we will work very closely with them in the lead up to March 5. It will be a celebration of Coach K’s last game at Cameron and truly the end of part of his career which has just been extraordinary. The whole world will be watching,” he added.
The traditional bonfire takes prior planning and requires additional security.
“When something like this happens, it brings together the entire community, but it also requires a lot of work in advance,” Schoenfeld said.
Students involved Saturday's sudden, explosive celebration could face suspension, expulsion or even criminal charges.
"The university takes it very seriously and will take it very seriously. We’ll activate all of our processes to investigate, and, as appropriate, hold those who were responsible accountable for it,” Schoenfeld said.
If the people who are responsible are not students, local law enforcement will take over.
Salgado thinks that's a bit over the top.
“I don’t really agree with blaming students because it’s just like how can administration really not expect students to do it," he said.