Elevator jam causes brief evacuation of building

There was a slight burning smell in Russell M. Cooper Hall on Tuesday morning, but it wasn’t caused by a fire, said University Police (UP) spokeswoman Lt. Meg Ross.

Around 11:20 a.m., the fire alarm sounded after several students got stuck in the lobby elevator because of electrical problems in the elevator control panel, Ross said.

Because of the alarm, students poured out of the building and waited outside.

No fire trucks responded to the alarm, and by the time UP arrived on scene at around 11:55 a.m., those stuck in the elevator had been released by the school elevator repair service. Individuals who had evacuated then re-entered the building.

No students were injured, and the elevator repair service is working on the problem, Ross said.

– Anastasia Dawson