Fire Department

An automatic fire alarm activation at an apartment building on the 500 block of State Street prompted response from Engine Co. 1. Crews located the alarm’s annunciator panel, which indicated smoke had been detected in the basement.

On their way to the basement, firefighters found a warm door near the elevator as well as an odor of burning oil in the basement. They also noted a slight haze of smoke.

Engine 1 entered the elevator room and found that the container of hydraulic oil used by the elevator was overheating and smoking. A thermal imaging camera confirmed the oil was at 315 degrees at the time.

Firefighters shut down the elevator and allowed the oil to cool down. Ladder Co. 1 was dispatched to assist with clearing smoke from the basement. Property management was notified of the situation, the building’s fire alarm was reset, and the elevator was placed out of service.