False alarm clears out university Library

An overdone snack forced about 200 people to abandon books, purses and backpacks Monday evening when a fire alarm sounded in the Library.

“When the fire alarm sounded I just picked up my purse and left the rest of my stuff in there,” said Alicia Cruz, a high school counselor meeting with colleagues before an evening class.

Four engines responded and firefighters traced the alarm to a bag of burning popcorn.

“They have to check each alarm,” said reference librarian Susan Beelick. “It costs money every time this happens.”

Students and staff were allowed to return to the building within the hour.