UPDATED: MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Here’s an update on Wednesday’s smoke scare at Mitchell-Neilson Elementary School. The call came in about an hour and a half before dismissal — while hundreds of children were still inside the building. Staff reported the smell of smoke, and smoke was visible in parts of the school. Knowing the campus was fully occupied, dispatchers and fire supervisors jumped into action and immediately sent multiple fire units to the scene. Fire officials likely equaled that expanded response as a precaution to ensure student and staff safety from the very beginning (See Original News Article HERE).

Firefighters with the Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department arrived just after 2 p.m. and found smoke in the school’s library. Given that the call involved an occupied elementary school, a full complement of crews responded to ensure any potential fire threat could be addressed immediately.

Units responding included Rescue 4, Rescue 1, Ladder 1, Ladder 4, Ladder 6, Ladder 8, Engine 3, Engine 7, Safety 1 and 2, along with Battalion Chiefs 1 and 2.

Upon arrival, crews accessed the roof and located an HVAC unit that was not functioning properly. When firefighters shut the unit down and restarted it, smoke began circulating again, confirming it as the source.

Students, teachers, and staff were safely evacuated from the affected area and relocated to another part of the campus to remain sheltered and smoke-free while crews worked the scene. No injuries were reported, and officials indicated there was no structural damage.

As of this update, the malfunctioning HVAC unit is under mechanical review to determine what caused the smoking issue and how quickly repairs or replacement can be completed. The incident remains under review. See Original News Article HERE.