School Evacuated After Belt Overheats
An overheated air-conditioning fan belt forced the evacuation of about 900 students from classrooms at Frank Intermediate School on Wednesday morning.
At 10:55 a.m., smoke filled the school’s media center, and an administrator pulled the fire alarm and called 911. Students left the buildings, and four engines and one truck from the Oxnard Fire Department responded to the call.
Kent Stewart, a maintenance manager for the Oxnard Elementary School District, said a fan seized and caused the belt to melt.
“The belt couldn’t move, so it just sat there, got hot and emitted smoke,” he said.
The district’s maintenance staff immediately disconnected the air-conditioning unit. Stewart said they plan to repair and reinstall it within a few days.
Students returned to their classes about 11:25 a.m.
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