Haselwood YMCA evacuates members

Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue responds to the call from Haselwood YMCA Wednesday evening. - Wes Morrow
Wes Morrow
Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue responds to the call from Haselwood YMCA Wednesday evening.

By WES MORROW
Central Kitsap Reporter Reporter
February 28, 2013 · Updated 9:25 AM 

Haselwood YMCA in Silverdale was evacuated Wednesday evening for around 30 minutes before members were allowed to go back inside. The alarm sounded at around 5:30 p.m. Firefighters arrived on-scene about 10 minutes later.

Ron McMahan, was visiting Haselwood from the YMCA corporate office in Tacoma when the alarm sounded. He said the alarm went off after a ball in the children's play area struck a ceiling sprinkler.

McMahon said this issue had not been reported before. He said striking one of the building's sprinklers should not set it off, but said he could not speak to whether or not the particular sprinkler's casing was faulty.

McMahon said once the fire alarm goes off it is procedure to evacuate the entire building and wait for the arrival of the fire department even if the issue is not an emergency.

YMCA staff said it took around five minutes to clear the entire building. Members stood on the building's adjacent lawn in the rain until staff gave the order that it was safe to return.

The YMCA is once again open and running, although as of 6 p.m. the children's area and coffee stand were closed.

 

Contact Central Kitsap Reporter Reporter Wes Morrow at wmorrow@soundpublishing.com.

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