Puyallup Public Library evacuated, closed following smell of smoke. Here’s what we know

Update: Puyallup police spokesperson Ryan Portmann told The News Tribune that the library reopened after a couple hours.

Initial post: The Puyallup Public Library is closed until further notice.

The Puyallup Police Department posted at 1:23 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5, on social media that a motor in the library’s HVAC system burned up.

Earlier that afternoon the police department and Central Pierce Fire & Rescue were at the library to investigate the “smell of smoke,” according to a social media post from the police department.

Crews evacuated the building.

A Puyallup police spokesperson wasn’t immediately available for comment.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

This story was originally published October 5, 2023 at 4:17 PM.

Angelica Relente

The News Tribune

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Angelica Relente covers topics that affect communities in East Pierce County. She started as a news intern in June 2021 after graduating from Washington State University. She is also a member of Seattle’s Asian American Journalists Association. She was born in the Philippines and spent the rest of her childhood in Hawaii.