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CENTURY BUILDING Eight Abdill students stuck in elevator while smoke rises in Century Building Comment By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm Posted Mar. 15, 2016 at 4:56 PM Updated Mar 16, 2016 at 12:41 PM By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm Posted Mar. 15, 2016 at 4:56 PM Updated Mar 16, 2016 at 12:41 PM » Social News An elevator motor overheated Tuesday afternoon, trapping eight Abdill Career College students for about a half hour before Medford firefighters freed them. “I was starting to panic,” said Desiree Eddleman, a 22-year-old Rogue River student. She credited fellow student Chris Fultz with helping to keep everyone calm after the elevator abruptly stopped near the third floor of the Century Building, a former hospital at 843 E. Main St. “We just thought it was a joke,” Eddleman said. When Eddleman smelled smoke and the air became a bit hazy, she said she became worried. And then she heard the fire engines coming and felt a bit of relief. “We were trying to make the best of it and keep calm,” she said. Eventually firefighters opened the door and pulled each of the students out to safety. Other students cheered and gave hugs as their friends exited the building. Medford Fire-Rescue battalion chief Rick Rohrbaugh said a motor overheated, causing the elevator to stop. The building was evacuated and the smoke cleared. No injuries were reported. He said the elevator stopped between floors. “They’re never at the floor,” he said. “They’re always between floors.” Firefighters got access from the roof to see the condition of the elevator, Rohrbaugh said. Also, other firefighters inspected the elevator shaft from the basement. Ultimately, firefighters pried open the doors to the elevator, he said. Students had been on a break on the first floor and got into the elevator to get to the second floor to go back to school. Fultz, the student who was credited with remaining calm, said he saw a little bit of smoke initially, but nobody panicked or screamed for help. “There were points where it was a little rough but not bad,” the 40-year-old Gold Hill resident said. When the elevator doors were open, the students were happy to get out. “All the ladies jumped out and ran,” he said. Another student who wasn’t in the elevator said it was a common practice for students to pack the elevator. “We have a game where we try to stuff people into the elevator,” said Shaina Garcia, a 20-year-old from Grants Pass. “I’m not fond of that game.” She said she and other students could hear the students in the elevator but didn’t hear anyone scream. Bob Seus, owner of the building, said the elevator is relatively small but is maintained by Otis Elevator under a service contract. He said an employee of Otis has an office in the building. He said the students would have to use the stairs until the elevator is fixed. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @reporterdm. By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm Posted Mar. 15, 2016 at 4:56 PM Updated Mar 16, 2016 at 12:41 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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