ARNOLD: Compressor causes scare at local bank
At about 1:45 p.m., employees at UMB evacuated the building and called 911 to report a possible fire at the building, located at 1384 Jeffco Blvd.
"The tellers did great," said Ron Harder, public information officer of the Rock Community Fire Protection District. "They stayed calm and called 911, just like we teach."When firefighters arrived and found smoke coming from the building's heating and cooling vents, they began checking the roof of the building. Because all air conditioning units were checked and found in working order, the inspection continued to the basement, where the smoke was heavy enough that the firefighters donned their breathing apparatuses.
In the basement, firefighters found a portable vent compressor that had overheated and sent smoke into the ventilation system and caused the smell. They disconnected the compressor and took the unit outside so they could use fans to clear the building of smoke. The bank was clear of the smoke in 10-15 minutes, and those waiting outside were allowed to return. No injuries were reported.
Harder said the compressor was perfectly legal but the motor simply overheated. He did admit, however, that had the incident occurred after business hours when no one was around to notice the smoke, a larger emergency could have resulted.
