Updated on Oct. 23 at 4:10 p.m.

The Biological Sciences Building on the Cal State LA main campus was closed after flooding damage caused by “a water source that was accidentally left on” Wednesday evening leaving significant damage in portions of the building. 

The labs in the Physics and Anthropology Departments were the areas that were primarily impacted, according to Cal State LA Spokesperson Erik Hollins. 

Beyond the water damage from the water source that was left on, “the flooding did not come into contact with any stored substances that could pose a safety risk,” Hollins said. 

The university is overseeing the project but has brought in a specialized service, Belfor Los Angeles which specializes in property restoration and are often brought in to handle “these unusual circumstances,” according to Hollins.  

Hollins said Belfor has been tasked with sucking out the water and “drying” out the impacted areas to resolve the issue. 

Workers on Thursday morning appeared to be carrying water pumps and other clean-up materials into the building and had one door partially blocked off by a ladder. All the doors that were not open for worker access to the building were locked, but there were no posted signs on the doors to explain the reason for the closure. 

Students with classes in the building had to rely on professor communications, a Canvas notice and the campuswide email to take their next steps when it was first announced late on Wednesday night. 

The building will be closed through at least Sunday, and all classes, events and labs will be moved online for the next few days. 

However, Hollins said that the University is considering a “phased return” to the structure as areas closer to the source of the flooding will take longer to dry.