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Smoke in Cortez church prompts evacuation

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Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017 6:52 PM
Jim Mimiaga/The Journal

Smoke at the Kingdom Hall church on Empire caused an evacuation Sunday morning.
Jim Mimiaga/The Journal

A faulty heater was to blame for smoke that entered the Kingdom Hall church prompting an evacuation of 75 people. No one was injured, and the building did not catch fire.

Smoke inside the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses church at 1304 Empire Street in Cortez caused an evacuation Sunday morning.

There were no injuries and the building did not catch fire. Services were canceled.

The cause was determined to be a faulty motor in a heating system, according to Cortez Fire Department officials. The electricity was shut off and faulty part was contained.

About 75 people were evacuated at about 10 a.m. said church elder Phil Conner.

“The evacuation was very orderly, and the response from the fire department, ambulance and police was very quick, helpful and professional,” he said.

The heater unit is being repaired.

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