University at Buffalo: Reporter

Show goes on at Center for the Arts

An overheated transformer that sent smoke through two floors of the Center for the Arts on Tuesday led to the evacuation of the building shortly after 9 a.m. and the cancellation of classes for the day due to the loss of power and heat.

But thanks to a crew of university electricians who worked all afternoon to restore power, an evening lecture by Dick Gregory in the Drama Theatre and a performance by Ladysmith Black Mambazo in the Mainstage went on as scheduled.

Even with the power blackout, the center was able to jerry-rig a computer in its box office and during the day sold 400 additional tickets for Ladysmith Black Mambazo, which performed before an audience of more than 1,500, according to Thomas B. Burrows, center interim director.

The transformer, which did not contain PCBs, "flashed," filling the mechanical room on the second floor of the facility with smoke, said Lt. John Jordan of UB Public Safety. Smoke also filtered onto the third floor of the building, which was evacuated.

Fire companies from Ellicott Creek, North Bailey and Getzville responded.

The building was reopened about 10:45 a.m. ­ without power ­ once the smoke had been ventilated.

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