No fire, just smoke at school

An alarm that drew six fire engines, an ambulance, 22 firefighters and emergency medical personnel, plus three police officers tested their response plan but revealed only smoke at the high school gym Thursday about 3:45 p.m.

The problem was apparently an old electrical breaker in an electrical room in the basement of the old gym, according to a press release from area fire chiefs.

Damage was limited to the electrical equipment and the related smoke damage.

When firefighters arrived, the room was filled with smoke, but no flame. The cause is still under investigation, but may be related to a lightning storm that had just passed through the area.

“The call tested some of the response plans the school and area agencies have been working on, and showed the planning is good and it works effectively,” said the press release.

Agencies involved with the incident were Coulee Dam Police and Volunteer Fire, USBR Plant Protection Fire, Grand Coulee Volunteer Fire and Ambulance, Electric City Volunteer Fire, Okanogan County Fire District 2, Douglas County Fire District 3, Colville Tribal Police and Emergency Service, Coulee Dam Public Works, Nespelem Rural Electric Association and the Lake Roosevelt School District.