Portland Fire Bureau responds to mistaken alarm at Ondine

Six fire engines arrived at Ondine Residence Hall shortly before 5 p.m. on Dec. 30, responding to reports of smoke. Upon arrival, however, firefighters determined that no fire had occurred. The building was not evacuated and the Campus Public Safety Office made no record of the event.

In the past, rashes of false alarms at Ondine have been cause for concern, but all signs point to this event being an honest mistake, as well as an isolated incident. “It was steam from a dryer,” said Leanna Metz, a representative for Portland Fire & Rescue. “Somebody thought it was smoke.”