On Tuesday, December 4 at 9:48 a.m., the Pleasant Prairie Fire & Rescue department was called for a fire alarm at the Pleasant Prairie RecPlex. A light haze of smoke was reported at the south end of the Aqua Arena. Evacuation of clients of the daycare and therapeutic recreation programs was initiated per procedure. Occupants were moved to the Ice Arena (north side of RecPlex).
It was determined that construction workers inadvertently struck a sprinkler pipe which drained water down to the electrical switchgear equipment on the lower level producing the smoke. Fuses tripped and power was lost to the affected part of the building. Village electricians isolated the main electrical feed to the main RecPlex building. WE Energies was also on site and confirmed the electrical isolation.
Occupant’s sheltered-in-place at the Ice Arena had power and heat. No hazards were present at the Ice Arena. Per procedure, RecPlex personnel started the process of notifying individuals to pick up clients at the daycare and therapeutic recreation programs.
Pleasant Prairie Fire & Rescue units were assisted by mutual aid departments from Beach Park (IL), Newport (IL), Winthrop Harbor (IL), and Zion (IL). Bristol (WI) and Waukegan (IL) departments were deployed within the Pleasant Prairie stations to handle day-to-day calls.
There were no fire or civilian injuries reported. The last fire unit cleared the scene at 12:03 p.m.
The RecPlex and Aqua Arena will remain closed for the reminder of the day to assess and repair the electrical equipment. Ice Arena will remain open from 2:00 p.m. till 10:00 p.m. RecPlex is scheduled to reopen tomorrow at normal business hours.