Faulty Sensor Sets Off Unscheduled Fire Alarm At Howell HS

HOWELL, NJ — A faulty sensor triggered an unscheduled fire alarm at Howell High School on Thursday, prompting a full police response as firefighters determined the cause of the alarm.

The unscheduled fire alarm resulted in an evacuation of the high school, police said, and 10 Howell Township patrol units responded to the high school within 3 minutes of the alarm and notification from the Howell police officer in the school.

"The police units formed a perimeter around the school and students," police said, while the fire company investigated. Once it was determined that it was a faulty sensor, students and staff were allowed back into the building and returned to class, police said.

The unscheduled alarm comes just two days after police investigated rumors of a threat to the high school.

Unscheduled fire alarms were used in the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, in February by the shooter who killed 17 students and staff at that high school and injured 16 others.

Police Chief Andrew J. Kudrick Jr. said the rumors were thoroughly investigated and found to be unsubstantiated. On Wednesday, however, as rumors continued to fly, Kudrick posted to Facebook saying there was no threat to the high school.

"While fear of such a tragic incident occurring is understood, the police department and high school would release information immediately if we believed the school community was at imminent risk," Kudrick said Wednesday. "Parents are reminded not to circulate or interpret as real information that is only speculative."

Photo via Howell Township Police