PORT TOWNSEND— Firefighters evacuated a downtown building tonight after it suddenly lost power.
At 6 p.m., firefighters had surrounded the Northwind Arts Center, 701 Water St., having evacuated the three-story building as well as the Boiler Room, which is next door.
At that time, firefighters were waiting for a crew from the Jefferson County Public Utility District to assess the situation.
Deputy Chief Ted Kryzinski of East Jefferson Fire Rescue made the decision to evacuate because he detected a “distinct electrical smell” at his arrival.
At about 5:30 p.m., a party was taking place when staff had trouble getting all the lights which started to flicker, according to attendee Gail Rodgers.
There was a pop after which the lights on the top two floors and the basement went out, according to attendee Bill Putney, an electrician.
The lights in the first-floor gallery remained on through power from a generator, Krysinski said.
The fire department first evacuated all three floors of the building.
People gathered on the sidewalk until Krysinski asked them to wait on the other side of the street.
At that point gallery board member Polly Lyle cancelled the event “because this will take a while.”
The party was to prepare for an art exhibit scheduled to occur at Saturday’s monthly Art Walk.
