Yesssss!!!! QL comes through thanks to Baldrick and jhojoo! While issues of salary and grievances are open to interpretation and negotiation, locking people in a building without an immediately available emergency exit comes as close as any I know to a criminal action.
A sample conversation: Hello, I rang a few minutes ago but there was no answer, perhaps your battery is low. I wonder if you could just pop 'round the teachers' hostel. There's been a fire and we'd really like you to open the doors if that wouldn't be too much trouble. Yes, the fire truck are here, but they can't get in, either. 20 minutes? We'll try to hold on, thanks.
Mandi