Burned-out AC unit forces Riverside Elementary evacuation

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A burned-out air conditioning compressor in a rooftop unit forced the evacuation this morning of Riverside Elementary School.

Martinez-Columbia Fire Rescue units initially were called for a fire alarm, and upgraded en route to a structure fire when personnel saw smoke in a computer lab, said fire department spokesman Jeremy Wallen.

All students and staff were evacuated without incident, Wallen said. Firefighters checking the school found the air conditioning unit smoking on the roof, and school maintenance crews took it out of service.

The only damage to the school was the air conditioning unit.