Shoppers Evacuated From Bridgewater Wegmans Thursday

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Shoppers at Wegmans Food Markets in Bridgewater were evacuated on Thursday afternoon after fire alarms went off.

The fire alarms were activated due to smoke around 1 p.m. on Nov. 14 at the grocery store in the Bridgewater Towne Center off Route 202.

Shoppers were evacuated and multiple fire companies including Country Hills, North Branch and Bradley Gardens responded.

"A contractor broke a light bulb which set off the smoke detector," Bridgewater Police Lt. John Mitzak said.

The smoke was coming from a bad light ballast, Bradley Gardens Volunteer Fire Company said.

After about 40 minutes shoppers were allowed back inside.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.