x
Breaking News
More () »

Fantasy of Trees and Knoxville Convention Center briefly evacuated after smoke set off fire alarm

The Knoxville Convention Center said everything is OK, but the evacuation caused some worries initially.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — People attending Fantasy of Trees on Friday had a small scare after people inside the Knoxville Convention Center were told to evacuate.

Mary Stephens-Bogert, the Knoxville Convention Center's general manager, said a hose failed in a mechanical room and caused enough smoke or vapor to set off a sensor, which caused the fire alarm to go off.

Assistant Knoxville Fire Department Chief Mark Wilbanks said the leak was Freon. 

The convention center evacuated everyone, including Fantasy of Trees attendees, out of precaution because it was unsure at first what caused the alarm to go off. It said the evacuation lasted about 10 minutes.

The fire marshal overseeing large events at the convention center Friday investigated and determined the hose failure caused the issue before giving the all-clear. 

"All is well now," Stephens-Bogert said.

"There are no issues, threats or anything of that nature at the Convention Center," the Knoxville Police Department said.

Fantasy of Trees brings in roughly 60,000 people every year during the week of Thanksgiving.

Before You Leave, Check This Out