Flagstaff's downtown Post Office location. A small fire Wednesday prompted an evacuation of the building. (Photo: Elena Hlohinec/NAZ Today)
FLAGSTAFF (NAZ Today) – By: Elena Hlohinec – Four fire trucks and the postal inspector responded to a fire at the downtown Flagstaff post office Wednesday afternoon around 4 p.m. The building was evacuated and surrounding streets were closed. No one was hurt and no mail was destroyed. According to employees, by the time the fire’s source was discovered by fire fighters about an hour after being noticed, the fire had put itself out from lack of oxygen. An upstairs furnace motor started the fire; it was the first time that furnace had been turned on this season.
“I thought it was someone’s radiator smell coming in from outside,” said Roy White, postal service employee, who was working at the front counter and smelled the smoke. When customers began complaining about heavy smoke in the lobby, White noticed smoke in the backroom also and notified his supervisors who called 911.
“Due to the quick reactions of postal employees, no mail was in jeopardy, and all mail delivery will continue as usual,” said Jason Davis, acting Station Manager.
“Processes are in place for this kind of thing,” said Davis. “Back up plans are pre-established and operations can quickly be moved to the Postal Ave. branch if need be.”
Because all surrounding streets were closed by firefighters in the event the fire spread, incoming postal employees had to park at various parking lots and spots around downtown and carry their mail to the post office’s rear lot. Under supervision of the Postal Inspector, an incoming/outgoing mail checkpoint was set up in the back lot.
“It was a little chaotic, but no one panicked,” said USPS employee Karen Jackson, “and all the mail got out on time.”
The faulty furnace is scheduled for replacement.
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