The Pit making changes to avoid false fire evacuations

January 14, 2011

the state fire marshal says there are changes underway at the pit to prevent another false fire alarm evacuation. thousands of fans were forced out last night-- after someone pulled the alarm. kayla anderson is live in the newsroom with what's in store. the person who pulled that alarm still hasn't stepped forward. but with a new system set to be installed soon, people won't have to be forced out if someone decides to yank the alarm again. in typical lobo fashion-- last night's game at the pit was jam packed. that is, until a prankster yanked on a fire alarm. with just a second left in the first half... thousands of fans were forced out. "it's unfortunate. it delayed the game. it was inconvenient for fans." coach steve alford said today he's grateful evacuated lobo fans stuck around-- despite the interruption. "here we are in a very tight game. had they all left, that could have been scary for us. and again i think they helped us down the stretch." we've learned the newly- constructed pit is still under fire restrictions. that's because a key fire system hasn't been installed.... it's the smoke evac system. but once it's up and running, if someone pulls another fake alarm, evacuatis don't have to happen right away. "if someone pulls an alarm, there's a couple of minutes that we have to check and see is in fact it a real alarm, or has it been deliberately set by somebody, or did the system malfunction." so fans and players can get back to the real action on the court.... instead of standing in the street. the fire marshal warns it is a criminal act to pull an alarm if there is no fire. he says the person who did this "could" face charges ... if he or she is caught.