Burning Water Cooler Sounds Alarm

A burning water cooler prompted the Livingston Fire Department to respond to an alarm from Kessler Orthotic & Prosthetic Services Sunday night.

According to Christopher Mullin, Livingston's Fire Chief, an alarm came in about 9:10 p.m. from the Kessler building, located on Microlab Road.

When firefighters arrived at the scene, they found a water cooler in a lunch room that was tipped over and burning.

The fire was promptly controlled with a portable extinguisher and the building was vented using fans.  But the small fire still managed to cause "significant smoke damage," according to Mullin.  The building manager was notified and responded. 

Below is a list of other calls the Livingston Fire Department received for the week of April 27-May 3: 

Tuesday, April 27

• Fire alarm transmission at residence on Oakwood Avenue; system malfunction.

Wednesday, April 28

• Fire alarm transmission at home on Beaufort Avenue.  System was activated due to burned food; residence vented.
• Homeowner on Winged Foot Drive reported a burning odor in basement. The area was checked, but no odor detected.

Thursday, April 29 

• St. Barnabas Medical Center reported odor of natural gas in front of hospital on both sides of street.  The entire area, along with catch basins, were checked with department, but nothing was found.
• Fire alarm transmission at home on Mayhew Drive.  Alarm was cancelled prior to LFD arrival.
• Fire alarm transmission at home on Vista Terrace; system activated due to malfunction.
• Pile of mulch burning in rear parking area on S. Livingston Avenue.  Area was wet down.
• Care One reported a fire alarm transmission, due to pull station being activated.  Area was checked, but no problems found.  Alarm and pull station were reset prior to arrival.

Friday, April 30 

• Burning odor reported in master bedroom in home on Stonewall Drive, but no problem detected by LFD.
• Report of a burning odor in area in residence on Edgemere Road, nothing found. 

Sunday, May 2

• Assisted homeowner on Canterbury Road with oven problem, PSE&G was notified  and unit was shut off.

Monday, May 3

• Fire alarm transmission at home on South Orange Aveneue.  Alarm Company was notified of problem.
• Fire alarm transmission in residence on Shrewbury Drive, system activated as result of burned food; system was reset.