West Block of Confederation Building evacuated due to smoke

An overheated extension cord caused the West Block of Confederation Building in St. John's to be evacuated until lunch time.

Emergency crews were called to the provincial government building around 9:30 a.m. Monday, after an alarm was triggered.

People were evacuatedfrom the building due to smoke from an overheated extension cord.

The complex reopened atnoon, although the offices of the Department of Advanced Education and Skills remained closed for the day.

The link connecting the east and west blocks was also temporarily affected by the incident.

Shift Supt. Robert Fowler said by the time they arrived there was smoke on the third floor.

"At the end of the day, it ended up being a minor electrical problem but it did create a lotof smoke in the area," Fowler said.

Firefighters are ventilating the area while employees remain out of the building.