A malfunctioning kiln was to blame for a fire that filled a UC Davis building with smoke on Thursday, according to the Davis Fire Department.
Capt. Shawn Kinney said the fire broke out at about 1 p.m. inside a kiln that was being to dry plant material in a classroom in Storer Hall. An employee used a fire extinguisher to knock down the flames, but the building continued to fill with smoke.
Firefighters evacuated the building until the smoke was cleared, Kinney said. No injuries were reported, and damage was limited to the kiln.
Kinney said crews responded later Thursday to a grease fire at The U Apartments (formerly University Village) on Cantrill Drive in East Davis.
Damage was minimal, and no one was hurt in the 6:30 p.m. incident, Kinney said.