A fire broke out in University President Amy Gutmann's mansion last night, after the scented candles she lit sent the curtains of her bedroom into flames.
Gutmann was treated at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania for minor injuries and smoke inhalation. She was released early this morning.
She said she fell asleep while waiting for her husband to return homes.
"I only meant to snooze for a few minutes," Gutmann said. "Now, I know never to powernap again."
Philadelphia Fire Department officials said they responded to the call at about 11:30 last night, in time to help Gutmann escape from the front second-story window.
Because the blaze damaged sections of her home, Gutmann will now reside in the penthouse room at the Sheraton University City Hotel.
"We are extremely fortunate that President Gutmann managed to escape relatively unharmed," Penn Vice President of Public Safety Maureen Rush said. "She's proven herself to be extremely flexible in situations like these."
Rush added, unrelatedly, that safety is a shared responsibility.
Gutmann was clad in smooth-fitting silk pajamas and only managed to grab a pair of black heels before jumping out the window.
"I told myself, 'Jump, Gutmann, jump. You can do this,' and out I went," she said.
Gutmann suffered a fracture to her left heel.
Penn Police Chief Mark Dorsey said the president was fortunate to have escaped just moments before the window exploded.
Doyle said he feels extremely guilty about the whole incident.
"I just can't help but think this is all my fault," Doyle said. "Let's just say it has put a dent in our relationship."
According to statistics on the National Fire Prevention Association's Web site, falling asleep is a factor in 12 percent of home candle fires. The Web site also indicates that nearly 18,000 home candle fires are reported to public fire departments yearly.
College senior Amy Whitman said she was relieved to hear that Gutmann was doing well.
"A school can't function without its president, even if she doesn't really do anything," she said. "You need that leadership at the top."
Gutmann said she is anxious to recuperate and can't wait to be on her feet again.
"The only problem is that I'll have to make do with sneakers," she said, "and my hair will smell like smoke for a month."
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