Light smoke prompts fire call to Truman elementary

By Tom Vogt, Columbian Science, Military & History Reporter,

Craig Brown, Columbian Editor,

Mark Bowder, Columbian Metro Editor, and

Justin Runquist, Columbian Small Cities Reporter

Published: February 3, 2015, 4:00pm

A report of light smoke and an electrical odor in the library brought Vancouver firefighters to Truman Elementary School around 11:25 a.m. Wednesday.

Students and staff were safely evacuated from the school as firefighters worked.

According to emergency radio traffic monitored at The Columbian, Vancouver firefighters arrived to find light smoke and an electrical odor in the library.

The cause was traced to a blown fuse that started a small fire in an electrical box. The fire was contained to the box, and was snuffed out. Firefighters planned to call building maintenance workers and turn the problem over to them.

Students and staff returned to class after about 15 minutes.

Truman Elementary is at 4505 N.E. 42nd Ave., north of Highway 500 and east of Northeast St. Johns Road. It is part of Vancouver Public Schools.

Tip: you can interact with this map using your fingerscursor (or two fingers on touch screens)cursor. Map

Support local journalism

Your tax-deductible donation to The Columbian’s Community Funded Journalism program will contribute to better local reporting on key issues, including homelessness, housing, transportation and the environment. Reporters will focus on narrative, investigative and data-driven storytelling.

Local journalism needs your help. It’s an essential part of a healthy community and a healthy democracy.