DELAWARE — Firefighters responded Tuesday morning to a report of smoke at Coffeeology in downtown Delaware, after a wiring issue connected to a furnace caused light smoke in the building’s basement.
No injuries were reported, and the shop at 43 N. Sandusky St. is expected to reopen later in the day, according to Delaware City Fire Chief Tim Pyle.
Pyle said firefighters traced the smoke to a wire connected to a furnace inside a mechanical closet in the basement.
“It looks like the insulation on the wiring melted a little bit,” Pyle said. “There were no flames, just some smoke.”
The incident caused no major damage to the building. Crews from the Tri-Township Fire Department, Orange Township Fire Department and Delaware Police Department responded, as well as Delaware Public Works, who closed the area roads.
Coffeeology barista Levi Atlee said he first became aware of the problem while working behind the counter Tuesday morning.
“I was cleaning the espresso machine, and my coworker Lily screamed my name downstairs,” Atlee said. “I ran downstairs thinking maybe someone fell on the stairs or something.”
Atlee said he found the employee room in the basement filled with smoke.
After briefly trying to identify the source, Atlee said employees evacuated the building and called 911 as alarms sounded.
“I ran back upstairs and yelled at everyone, ‘Let’s evacuate. Don’t know what’s happening,’” Atlee said.
He said emergency crews arrived quickly.
“I was actually really surprised with how fast they got here — maybe four or five minutes,” Atlee said.
Coffeeology owner Melissa Rideout said she was grateful the situation was minor.
“I’m grateful that it’s nothing worse, and I’m grateful that no one was hurt,” Rideout said.
Rideout said the coffee shop, which has been open for about 10 years, was founded with the goal of creating a welcoming space for the community.
“It was important for me to have a place in the community that people could see the love of Christ being lived out,” Rideout said. “A place of hope and refreshment.”
Pyle said the building should be able to reopen later Tuesday.
