"During the street party, furniture was used to start a fire on Ezra Avenue," according to a statement from the Waterloo Regional Police Service. "The fire was extinguished by Waterloo Fire Department. There were no reported injuries as a result of the fire, and the investigation is ongoing."

There was no word on whether any charges would be laid, however anyone with information is asked to call police at 519-570-9777 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

The WRPS is once again taking part in Project Safe Semester, a campaign that promotes the safety and well-being of university and college students, and the services says it's dedicated to ensuring the safety of all community members.

The university said it will review the behaviour of any Laurier student accused of breaking the law, and will apply sanctions as appropriate under the university’s Non-Academic Student Code of Conduct.

"If you wouldn't do it at your parent's home, then don't do it here," said Waterloo Mayor Dave Jaworsky. "Small gatherings with friends are great, however you need to plan to keep them small and be respectful of the neighbourhood."

The city along with local law enforcement, post-secondary institutions and various community partners has created a new mayor's task force looking into ways to curtail the annual St. Patty’s Day street party, but so far nothing has worked, with more than 30,000 revelers turning out to the party last March.

Ward 7 Coun. Tenille Bonoguore said the task force has been looking at the major gatherings of St. Patrick's Day and homecoming, but that last night's party indicates the matter is snowballing. "These parties -- and this culture -- are untenable and must end."

Bonoguore said she was "terribly disheartened" by the impromptu party.

"The fact that students -- both those new to town and those already here -- should start the school year like this gives me great concern, particularly with homecoming just around the corner," she stated. "These parties are a gross abuse of privilege - the privilege to study, the privilege to live away, the privilege to feel safe enough to throw the safety and consideration of others to the wind. These students are adults, with all the responsibilities that come with that."

Bonoguore said these events also point to a thriving student party culture that feels dangerously akin to what we see at colleges in the U.S.

"Experience tells us that this kind of culture can be toxic, dangerous, and detrimental to students, staff, and neighbouring residents alike. Tertiary institutions and student associations must take ownership of their respective student cultures. Only they can set -- or reset -- the standards that are expected and accepted."

The city is in a difficult position, caught between discouraging these parties and protecting public safety (which can make the events look official), she added.