Bad HVAC leads to Ryan Building evacuation

By Havre Daily News Staff

A burned-out motor in the HVAC system of the Ryan Building on the 10 Block of Second Avenue forced the employees to evacuate Thursday at 3:45 p.m. after someone reported an "electrical smell" from somewhere on the second floor of the building.

Havre Fire Department Chief Mel Paulson said the burned motor was pushing smoke into the building and the whole building had to be evacuated. The fire department responded to the scene with two fire engines, an ambulance and a number of firefighters. He added that after the building was evacuated, no reports of injuries or flames were made. 

The Havre Police Department and Fire Department closed off a section of Second Avenue and partially blocked one westbound lane of First Street in front of the Ryan Building.

Paulson said that firefighters were unable to locate the cause of the smoke and called in Charlie's Heating and Air and Schine Electric to aid in investigations. The source was then located and the issue was resolved. 

He said the fire department was at the scene for approximately two hours, and after they reopened the building, most of the employees had already left for the day.