Smoke bellowing from of a vent and a strong odor of plastic burning led to the evacuation of Arps Hall around 3:25 p.m. yesterday.
A fire department official said the smoke’s source was an electrical panel box.
“They found a hot wire,” said Pam Wine, Arps building manager, as she received clearance from the fire department to re-enter the building.
Ohio State’s Department of Physical Facilities was called in to assess and correct the problem.
Wine pulled the fire alarm after she received phone calls and reports of a smokey smell on the second, third and fourth floors of Arps.
Two engines and a ladder truck from the Columbus Fire Department responded to the scene located at 1945 N. High St. and left at 4:01 p.m., said Lt. Richard Morman of the University Police.
