Smoke sets off high school alarm

Carson High School students were evacuated Thursday after smoke from a burned-out motor tripped the school's new state-of-the-art, motion-sensored fire alarm.

Principal Ron Beck said the alarm went off about 10 minutes before the lunch break at 11:32 a.m.

Beck was sure the alarm was the real deal and not a student prank, because the new system does not have levers.

"I knew it had to be something," he said.

After about 15 minutes, Carson City firefighters cleared the building of smoke, and students and faculty were allowed inside.

Acting Battalion Chief Capt. Bob Schreihans said the motor on a rooftop heating and air conditioning unit went out and sent smoke into the second floor.