Members of the Eugene police and fire departments responded to Hamilton Complex on Friday night after a group of students set a mattress on fire in Watson Hall.
University Housing Director Mike Eyster said between three and five students were playing with fireworks and poppers inside a room when the mattress caught fire.
Eyster said the students pulled the mattress into the hall and then put out the fire, which saved the room from more extensive damage.
Much of the personal property in the double-occupancy room was damaged or destroyed, but other items, such as the students’ computers, went undamaged.
“I was actually very surprised,” Eyster said. “This room was in very good shape.”
Eyster said Housing will probably have to replace the carpet and treat and repaint the walls from the smoke and fire damage.
Eugene Police Department officers questioned the students Friday night, and Eyster offered the students living there another room, but both said they could make arrangements to stay with friends.
Eyster would not comment on what disciplinary action the students could face, but he said similar past incidents have resulted in resident eviction. The students could also face separate consequences from the University’s student judicial affairs committee.

— Jeremy Lang