FAYETTEVILLE (KFSM) -- The last first Thursday of the year kicked off in an exciting way on the Fayetteville Square Thursday night when a fire was reported in the University of Arkansas Global Campus building on the corner of the Square.
Travis Boudrey, battalion chief for the Fayetteville Fire Department, said firefighters received a call of smoke in the Global Campus building at Center Street and East Avenue at 5:25 PM.
Five engines and a ladder truck responded to the scene. The smoke was reported on the fourth floor of the building, Boudrey said.
“They encountered what they believed to be a fire in the building, so they upgraded to a second alarm,” Boudrey said.
He said they found an issue with an HVAC unit on the fourth floor. Firefighters isolated the unit and had an HVAC technician coming out to address the problem.
Boudrey said no injuries were reported. He said those in the Chancellor Hotel, which is attached to the Global Campus building, were told to shelter in place.
The scene was cleared about 6:10 p.m.
The fire took place right before the last First Thursday of the year began on the Fayetteville Square. The event was set to include live music, vendor booths, and the Slow Run Glow Run bike ride, but things kicked off late as people gathered around to watch the firefighters work.
The event was back in full swing by 6:30 p.m.
