Art museum, McCormick Hall evacuated due to smoke

By the Office of Communications on Sept. 18, 2015, 4:20 p.m.

About 250 people were evacuated from the Princeton University Art Museum and adjoining McCormick Hall on Friday afternoon after a Department of Public Safety officer smelled smoke coming from a workroom in McCormick.

The officer activated the fire alarm at 3:35 p.m., and Public Safety and University site protection staff responded along with the Princeton Fire Department. The smoke was traced to a wood pallet on the second floor. The pallet, which was heated by a spotlight, gave off smoke but did not catch fire.

The light was turned off and removed. No one was hurt.

The fire department and University staff were ventilating the buildings, which reopened about 45 minutes after the alarm.

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