Fire alarms were activated at Machuga Heights and Sam’s Place on Thursday, Nov. 7, according to a Red Hawk Alert message sent to the campus community. It was reported at 9:28 a.m.
Captain Janine Brychta of the University Police Department stated that the cause of the activated alarm was a result of a third-party HVAC company cutting a mis-marked line while conducting routine work.
When the line was cut, an air conditioning line which releases exhaust was shut off.
“A worker was advised to pull the fire alarm as a result, but mistakenly pulled an Ansul alarm instead, which releases a chemical that shuts down grease fires,” Brychta said.
After the incident occurred, it was reported that a food service worker passed out and had breathing difficulties.
“She was transported to the hospital and has since been discharged,” Brychta said.
Once the area was cleared, the Little Falls Fire Department, Montclair State Fire Safety and the Clifton Board of Health arrived.
Sam’s Place was later reopened once it was cleared to be safe for everyone to return.
