An electrical fire in Edwards Hall lobby was put out quickly earlier this week while residence life officials evacuated the building.

ACU Police Chief Jimmy Ellison said the fire alarm, which sounded at 10:37 a.m. on Monday, sparked immediate reaction to prevent any spread of the smoke.

“There was a slight presence of smoke in the lobby and TV room, along with a very distinct odor of electrical burn,” Ellison said. “Abilene Fire Department Station 5 responded and the building was evacuated immediately. The source was determined to be wiring in an air conditioning motor in the basement.”

The air conditioning unit serviced the TV room, which is why the smoke was seen there. Ellison said the unit was quickly shut down and repaired.

Ellison said the evacuation went very smoothly, running just the way the university practices.

“This is a good reflection on the res life and risk management staffs,” Ellison said. “The source was located quickly, isolated and turned over to facilities management for repair.”

Phillip Lamborn, sophomore political science major from San Diego, was in the shower when the fire alarm went off. He had to wait outside for about 25 minutes wearing only a towel before the residents were allowed to come back into the building.

“I put on a towel to check if it was a drill or not,” he said. “I looked into the hallway to see my AD running down the hall yelling to get out, so I did. Waiting outside in just a towel is not how I planned to spend my morning, but the fire department and ACU Police were able to put the fire out quickly.”