UPDATE:
Iowa City Police Department said Thursday morning that a City High student pulled the fire alarm that forced a school-wide evacuation Wednesday afternoon because “he was mad at his history teacher.
Sergeant Denise Brotherton of the Iowa City Police Department said the 17-year-old male student has been charged with transmitting a fake fire alarm and was referred to juvenile court.
ORIGINAL POST
September 1, 2010
Iowa City – City High students, teachers, and staff were evacuated Wednesday just after Noon due to a fire alarm sounding.
Iowa City School District officials confirm it was a false alarm.
“We don’t know if it was an equipment malfunction or a student who pulled the alarm,” said Jim Pedersen, director of human resources for the Iowa City Community School District.
Pedersen said it is district policy to evacuate students in the event of a fire alarm sounding even if there is no fire present.
“Don’t have a choice,” he said. “We’re going to exit.”
An investigation as to what, or who, triggered the fire alarm is underway. Pedersen said if a student pulled the alarm he or she could face some sort of an automatic suspension from school and further action from the Iowa City Police Department.
Iowa City Fire Department responded to the scene.
All persons evacuated were allowed back into the building before 1 p.m.
