Occupants of a building on the northeast side of campus Thursday morning were evacuated after a report of the smell of smoke.

The first floor of the Peter’s Education Building had to be cleared at approximately 8:30 a.m. due to the smell of smoke filling the lower levels of the building.

Bob Boyd, the associate vice president for facilities management, said a belt attached to an air conditioning unit in the basement floor of the building began to spin and produce friction. The resulting smell was similar to smoke, officials said. The smell traveled through the air vents located inside the building.

“It was not a real big problem, but more of an interruption,” Boyd said.

Amy Armstrong, the public information officer for the University Police Department, said there were classes and offices opened at that time. She said no open flame or fire was found.

As a precaution, the Fresno Fire Department responded to the notice within minutes and evacuated the building. As fire officials ventilated the building, occupants who were kept away from the building were able to return an hour and a half later.

All buildings were reopened and classes resumed instruction that day, Boyd said.