Transformer fire briefly evacuates UI's Calvin Hall

Calvin Hall, the University of Iowa's office of admissions, was temporarily evacuated Monday morning after smoke started coming from a transformer in the building's basement.

Emergency responders were dispatched to Calvin Hall, 2 West Jefferson St., around 9 a.m. for a report of smoke coming from the mechanical room in the basement. It was discovered one of the transformers that supplies electricity to the building had burned up.

The university's electricians were able to shut off the power supply to the transformer before any emergency crews arrived, halting any further damage to the building.

The UI's Department of Public Safety said the transformer likely burned up due to old age.

After investigating for about 20 minutes, Iowa City firefighters cleared the building safe to resume normal activities.