UCF student arrested after residence hall explosion

A UCF residence hall was evacuated late Sunday night after an explosion in one of the rooms, UCF Police Department Investigator Eric Walton said

The explosion that caused the evacuation of Hercules 109 was allegedly caused by student Wendell McKee, 19, who was attempting to manufacture a controlled substance involving Adderall

"We had a student on campus attempting to make Adderall in his room. There was a small explosion but no damage to the room, no students were injured," Walton said

McKee was arrested that evening, and was charged at 6 a.m. Monday with manufacturing a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a college; sale, delivery, manufacture, possession of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a specified area and first-degree arson of dwelling.

McKee is being held on $25,000 bail at the Orange County Jail

There was no fire from explosion, Walton said. Smoke caused the building's fire alarm to activate.

Hercules 109, a building designated for freshmen, was evacuated to determine the reason for the explosion and for the safety of the residents.

UCF PD, Orange County Sheriff's Office and Hazmat teams from the Orange County Fire Department responded to the scene. The UCF Department of Environmental Health and Safety was brought in to help with declaring the floor to be safe.

After a few hours of checking for safety issues, the building was declared safe to enter. All residents of the building were allowed to go back to their rooms, except for three residents who lived in the suite where the incident took place. The Department of Housing and Residence Life will be finding those students temporary housing.

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