Alarm at LTS Deemed a Malfunction

The West Caldwell Fire Department responded Tuesday night to what turned out to be a false alarm at 21 Henderson Drive, which is occupied by the pharmaceuticals manufacturer, LTS Corporation. 

Approximately 40 second-shift employees vacated the building at approximately 7:15 p.m. and made their way to a grassy hill while firefighters investigated.

LTS is best known for making nicotine patches and breath fresheners.

“Everything that occurs there has a potential for a dangerous aspect,” said West Caldwell Fire Chief Charles Holden Wednesday. “But in this particular case it was nothing more than a malfunction.”

Holden said it is not known what caused the malfunction, but that LTS would bring in the alarm company to determine and fix the cause.

Fire departments from Caldwell, Fairfield and Verona also responded to the alarm as did the West Essex First Aid Squad and the West Caldwell Police Department.

The scene was cleared at approximately 8:15 p.m.