Alarm triggers evacuation at San Jose airport

SAN JOSE >> Passengers flying out of Terminal B at Mineta San Jose International Airport had to evacuate and go through security lines a second time Friday morning after construction workers accidentally set off a fire alarm.

Airport officials said the fire alarm, which was silenced at 8:05 a.m., was set off by construction activity happening at new gates 29 and 30. All of the passengers who evacuated the airport in Terminal B were rescreened by 8:30 a.m., according to airport spokesman Rosemary Barnes.

All passengers flying on Southwest Airlines made their flights, which were not delayed, Barnes said. Alaska Airlines delayed two flights to wait for passengers as they went through security a second time. One passenger missed a departing Alaska flight to Austin, Texas, Barnes said.

A welder was working in the area of the new gates, and the smoke or heat set off the alarm, according to Barnes.

“We apologize, but the safety of everyone is our first priority,” Barnes said. “We apologize for the inconvenience.”

The alarm did not affect passengers in Terminal A.

A similar situation occurred last month when a fire alarm on the tarmac was accidentally set off when it was bumped by a cart pulling baggage, setting off an alarm in Terminal B.