Overheated hot-water system evacuates Bell employees

An overheated on-demand hot-water system in the Bell building at 104 Minto St. caused the evacuation of 30 employees this morning, said Mitch Theriault, Greater Sudbury Fire Services senior public safety officer.

Firefighters responded to ringing alarms at about 9 a.m. The overheated system created some smoke on the first floor, which set off the alarms. Staff was evacuated to the YMCA for safety, and Theriault said he was told they were sent home for the day.

There was some minor arcing and some minor smoke, but no major damage, he said. Firefighters ventilated the building and salvaged some of the equipment to minimize damage from leaking water.

“We shut down the power to the first floor, so as not to create an electrical hazard,” Theriault said.

“Everything is fine now. They're doing some minor cleanup, and everything is expected to be up and running at 100 per cent by tomorrow morning.”

Four firetrucks were on scene this morning, with about 12 firefighters handling the situation.