Central Whidbey Fire & Rescue was called into investigate a burning electrical smell and haze in the Coupeville Elementary School library this morning, delaying the start of school.
The unusual smell and smoke were noticed by teachers at around 7:30 a.m., which led to the emergency call that brought engines from Central Whidbey as well as the Oak Harbor Fire Department.
Arriving students were led to the school’s detached all-purpose room until Central Whidbey Fire completed its investigation.
Ed Hartin, Central Whidbey’s fire chief, said that an HVAC unit in the library appeared to overheat and the firefighters were ventilating the room by opening doors to see if the haze and smell returned. The unit controls heating, ventilation and air conditioning.
By 9 a.m., Hartin was still monitoring the situation while students remained in the all-purpose room and buses full of students stayed park at the high school.
Jim Shank, the Coupeville School District’s superintendent, said he was waiting the results of the investigation from the fire department to determine when students could start the school day or if class needed to be canceled.
Hartin informed him that it was safe for students to return, and class started about 25 minutes later than normal.
At one point, five fire engines were on the scene.
“It’s been quite a morning,” building secretary Anne Weaver said.
