A small fire in Barnard Hall set off the house sprinkler system early Saturday morning, covering the living and dining room floors with half an inch of water.

The extent of the damage to ceilings and floors cannot yet be estimated, Ralph B. Gates, director of buildings and grounds, said yesterday.

The fire began in a pan of wax which someone was melting over a hot plate, Mrs. Jo J. Heunemann, dorm resident, said yesterday. The burner was left on overnight, and the wax burst into flame, she added. A wall beside the hot plate was charred, but the fire activated the sprinkler system before any further damage was done.

The sound of rushing water woke Mary Kay Tolbert '69 who notified Mrs. Huenemann, and Lynda C. Friedman '70, dorm president, who set off the general alarm within the dorm.

The fire also set off alarms at the Cambridge police and fire departments, who arrived at Barnard Hall before most girls were even aware of what was happening.

Many of the girls stumbling downstairs at 7 a.m. had just gotten to bed after the South House Master's Ball. As girls walked through the water-soaked dining room one police officer called, "I bet this is the first time you've washed your feet in a week!"