Police, fire respond after series of electrical events at Charleston R-1

A series of events involving a power outage and malfunctioning HVAC unit forced the cancelation of an after-school function and the response of police and fire personnel after school Thursday in the Charleston R-1 School District.

Around 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, which was after school, Warren E. Hearnes Elementary, or WEH, and Charleston Upper Elementary, or CUE, buildings experienced a power outage caused by a blown transformer, the Charleston R-1 School District said late Thursday via its social media.

The CUE fourth through sixth grade social, which was already in progress, was canceled, and parents were notified to pick up their students, the school district said.

Then, as power to the buildings was being restored, an HVAC unit malfunctioned at WEH, causing the hallway in pods D and E to become smoke-filled and the fire alarm to sound.

“School administrators and maintenance staff responded quickly, as did police and fire units. After determining which HVAC unit was the issue, it was disconnected from power and will be evaluated,” the district said.

As of 8:30 p.m. Thursday, all buildings were back to normal and ready for students to return Friday.

Charleston R-1 Superintendent Jamarcus Williams thanksed Charleston Department of Public Safety, AmerenUE, administrators and maintenance staff for responding.