News Summary
A power outage caused by an overheating generator at Florida’s Historic Capitol led to the evacuation of workers and a brief disruption of activities. The Tallahassee Fire Department responded to multiple smoke reports, confirming the generator as the issue. Fortunately, no fire damage was detected, and power was restored shortly after. Employees began cleanup efforts, highlighting the building’s vulnerability to operational challenges.
TALLAHASSEE – On September 15, a power outage caused by an overheating generator at Florida’s Historic Capitol resulted in the evacuation of workers and a brief disruption of normal activities within the building. Firefighters and law enforcement were dispatched to the scene after multiple reports of smoke were made.
The overheating generator was confirmed as the source of the issue by an agent from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). It was also reported that an electrical outage in the Capitol Complex was linked to a cut power line due to ongoing construction nearby.
As smoke emanated from the generator, the Tallahassee Fire Department responded with two fire trucks. Fortunately, no visible fire damage was detected in key areas, including the Capitol’s courtyard and within the House and Senate office buildings. However, there was a noticeable burnt fuel oil smell located on the Senate side, indicating the seriousness of the generator malfunction.
Coinciding with the power outage, Capitol employees began leaving their offices around 4 p.m., as the lights went out in the building. One worker took to social media to detail their experience of having to descend 17 flights of stairs to reach parking due to the malfunction. By approximately 4:45 p.m., the Fire Department had cleared the area following their assessment.
Power inside the Capitol was restored shortly thereafter, leading to workers celebrating the return of their electricity. As the restoration process continued, employees were seen removing wet rugs from the lower levels of the Capitol and bringing in industrial fans to assist with drying the affected areas.
Access to the building for media personnel was restricted, and there was uncertainty surrounding whether fire sprinklers had activated during the generator incident. Despite attempts to contact city officials, representatives from the city of Tallahassee, the Tallahassee Fire Department, and the Florida Department of Management Services were unavailable for comments regarding the incident.
The Florida Historic Capitol Museum, dedicated to preserving the state’s political heritage and showcasing Florida’s governmental history, stands as a significant landmark within the Capitol grounds. This incident underscores the vulnerability of historic buildings to modern operational challenges and the need for regular safety and maintenance checks to prevent future occurrences.
In summary, the overheating generator incident led to a brief power outage and subsequent evacuation of the Florida Historic Capitol workers, highlighting both the importance of infrastructure maintenance and the potential for disruptions even in established state buildings.
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Additional Resources
- Tallahassee.com: Power Loss at Florida Capitol
- Wikipedia: Florida Historic Capitol
- WTXL: Firefighters Rescue Dogs from House Fire
- Google Search: Florida Capitol fire incident
- Tallahassee.com: Fire Service Fees Increase
- Google Scholar: Florida fire safety infrastructure
- Fox Weather: Florida Drought and Fires
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Fire Safety
- Tallahassee.com: Barnacle Bill’s Torn Down
- Google News: Florida fire department news
Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER
The TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETallahassee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tallahassee, Leon County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Springtime Tallahassee, Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, and LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Big Bend, plus leading businesses in education, healthcare, and insurance that power the local economy such as Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Capital Health Plan. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
