PULLMAN, Wash. — An electrical transformer was destroyed and light smoke damage was reported by firefighters after they responded to a trouble alarm early this morning (July 2) at the home of Washington State University President V. Lane Rawlins.
WSU firefighters were dispatched at 2:53 a.m. to the residence on Campus Avenue and found a transformer on fire in a basement room that contained the home’s alarm system.
The crew put out the fire with a dry chemical extinguisher and set up fans to clear the home of smoke. A new transformer was available and power is expected to be restored to the home by noon.
President Rawlins and his wife, Mary Jo, were not home at the time of the fire. Firefighters said two dogs in the residence were not injured.
WSU Captain Terry St. Mary said there was light smoke damage. A new transformer is estimated to cost between $3,000-5,000. Cause of the transformer fire is under investigation by Facilities Operations officials.
