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The Daily Wildcat

The Daily Wildcat

 

Fire in McKale Center sees response from TFD, UAPD

%09Kyle+Mittan+%2F+Arizona+Daily+Wildcat%0A%0A%09A+fire+in+the+basement+of+McKale+Center+brought+about+40+firefighters+from+the+Tucson+Fire+Department+to+the+scene+on+Saturday+night.+The+fire+has+since+been+neutralized+after+setting+off+the+building%26%238217%3Bs+smoke+alarms+and+sprinkler+systems.

Kyle Mittan / Arizona Daily Wildcat

A fire in the basement of McKale Center brought about 40 firefighters from the Tucson Fire Department to the scene on Saturday night. The fire has since been neutralized after setting off the building’s smoke alarms and sprinkler systems.

A fire was reported Saturday night in McKale Center following smoke alarms activating inside the building.

According to Cpt. Barrett Baker, a public information officer with the Tucson Fire Department, units from the University of Arizona Police Department were the first on the scene after an initial alarm at about 9:24 p.m.

After seeing active smoke coming from the building, UAPD alerted TFD, whose first responders arrived at about 9:29, and, after confirming that smoke was coming from the top of the building, responders called for a full alarm. In total, two alarms were activated, and about 40 firefighters responded to the scene, Baker added.

The fire started in an equipment room in the lower bowl area of the building. While TPD has not yet confirmed the cause of the fire, Baker speculated that it could have come from lint from a dryer within the room. As of about 10:50, investigators still had not been able to get into the room where the fire started, and personnel were clearing the building of smoke.

The size of the fire could also not be confirmed, but Baker said it was large enough to set off both alarms and sprinkler systems.

TFD units were leaving the scene at about 11:16.

Check DailyWildcat.com for more updates to this article.

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