The Charleston Fire Department and University Police Department responded to a false alarm at Blair Hall at around 6 p.m. on Thursday.

Charleston Fire Department Captain Blake Graven said someone pulled the fire alarm pull station even though there was no fire.

“I guess they thought it would be cool,” Graven said.

Even though there was no fire, students and others who were in the building still evacuated Blair Hall.

Graven said they stayed outside for about 20 or 25 minutes.

University Police Department Patrolman Michael Southworth said the fire alarm panel is able to tell if the alarm was pulled by a person and which station it was pulled at.

“The fire department came and someone did actually pull (the alarm) down,” Graven said. “According to the other officer there were several people that saw it.”

The fire department is able to fine people for pulling false alarms and Graven said they would also tell the Office of Student Standards about the alarm.

“It would be through the fire department if we fine them, but we can always do sanctions to the school,” Southworth said. “Once we sent the report up to that, they determine all that.”

Southworth said what the Office of Student Standards will do is up to them.

Cassie Buchman can be reached at 581-2812 or at cjbuchman@eiu.edu.