Business Evacuated on Huntington but Smoke Problem Appears Minor

Dozens of employees evacuated a building on the corner of Huntington Drive and Shamrock Avenue Monday afternoon when they discovered smoke coming out of the ventilation system, but firefighters determined it was caused by a minor heating problem.

Monrovia Fire Department Battalion Chief Scott Haberle said a fire alarm was triggered when employees at the Green Dot corportation turned on the building's heating system. Dust in the system, which had apparently not been used in quite some time, ignited and caused the smoke, Haberle said.

"It's kind of like in your house when you start (the heater) for the first time," Haberle said.

Two fire engines and an ambulance responded to the scene, though no one was hurt. Firfighters were just making sure that the smoke had been cleared and checking to see if the heating system was safe to use, Haberle said.

Employees could be seen returning to the building shortly before 1 p.m.