Fire alarm triggered, Gray Wolf Hall evacuated

UPDATE 10/28: According to Bob Wright, director of campus safety and emergency management, "The elevator is working properly and the irritating odor is gone."

Students evacuate Gray Wolf Hall. // Photo by  Ian Buck.

Today at 2 p.m. the fire alarm in Gray Wolf Hall went off when the hydraulic fluid in the elevator overheated and released noxious fumes into the air, according to assistant fire marshal Jim Venturo.

Venturo said when the fluid overheated "someone pulled the alarm, as they were supposed to."

The building was immediately evacuated. Students were coughing and covering their mouths as they waited to leave.

Bob Lord, director of EvCC emergency preparedness, said: "something triggered the fire alarm system, but there's nothing active."

The hydraulic fluid fumes are non-flammable and harmless in short-term exposure, according to Venturo.

Gray Wolf Hall was closed for 45 minutes but has re-opened and classes are back in session.

Story by Elana Pidgeon.