English Muffin Blamed for Wisconsin Evacuation

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- A fire alarm set off by smoke in the state Capitol caused an evacuation before firefighters located the source of the problem - a toaster and a singed muffin.

``It was not too badly singed,'' said Justin Sargent, an aide to Sen. Judy Robson, D-Beloit, after conceding his English muffin apparently was responsible.

The toaster was on the Capitol's ground-level floor, in a joint office and snack room in the south wing.

``It's a communal toaster and we unplug it when we're done,'' Sargent said.

But firefighters said someone apparently didn't unplug it, and the resulting smoke set off the alarm at 8:11 a.m. Tuesday.

City Fire Department spokeswoman Bernadette Galvez said a fire engine and ladder truck responded to the scene. Others started out but turned around when notified the call was minor.

``There was a little bit of smoke, but no fire,'' she said. ``There were crumbs, and the toaster itself. They reset the alarm system.''