COLUMBUS, Ind. — A short in an electrical service panel caused a loss of power at the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. Administration building Wednesday afternoon. At approximately 12:19 p.m., Columbus firefighters were dispatched to 1200 Central Ave., for a fire alarm. Firefighters arrived on the scene to find that an evacuation of the building was underway.
With no visible smoke or fire from the exterior, firefighter spoke to school corporation employees who reported that they had heard a “large boom” followed by the sound of the building’s fire alarm. One employee told firefighters that the building shook following the boom.
Firefighters entered the building and quickly identified an odor that indicated a possible electrical type fire. As firefighters moved to the basement to assess the building utilities, smoke was visible within the basement. Upon reaching the building’s utility service room, firefighters found an high concentration of smoke as they entered the utility room. When firefighter entered the utility service room, they encounter heavy smoke but no sign of fire. Further investigation revealed that an electrical system malfunction damaged a large electrical circuit box which caused the power failure in the building. Firefighters identified that the boom was a result of the short within the service panel.
School officials reported to firefighters that no injuries occurred during the incident. With a strong odor of smoke within the building and concerns for air quality, the building was closed and smoke removal and odor remediation needs would be taken care of while electrical system repairs are addressed.
Duke Energy and facilities staff remained on the scene at the termination of the fire investigation. With the exception of the smoke odor within the structure, the building did not sustain damage as a result of the incident. No repair timeline estimation was provided.
ORIGINAL STORY
COLUMBUS — The Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. Administration Building is closed today following a minor electrical malfunction that was handled by the Columbus Fire Department.
The incident occurred at about 12:15 p.m. on Wednesday, said BCSC officials.
“There was what seems to be an electrical fire in the administration basement,” said communications coordinator Josh Burnett. This occurred in one of the electrical rooms. Everyone was evacuated, and no one was hurt. There does not appear to be any major damage.
Staff are working remotely through at least the end of the day.
Burnett commended the quick response of the Columbus Fire Department and said that Duke Energy was also on the scene to assess the situation.
He said that the incident should not affect the first school board meeting of the year, which is scheduled to be held in the administration building’s Terrace Room at 6:30 p.m. on Monday.
