Just Before 2230 HRS on November 27th HFD received a call from an alarm company reporting a fire alarm activation at 80 East Hartsdale Ave. A full assignment was dispatched with an additional company from Greenville. Upon arrival of Engine 170, the superintendent of the building met the Engine 170 crew at the main entrance reporting a fire in the compactor room. The crew from Engine 170 under command of Captain Aquilino took control of the elevators to prevent residents from using the elevators under a possible fire condition and then proceeded down the stairs toward the compactor room. Car 2172 Deputy Chief F.J Spinelli arrived on scene and assumed command. Engine 171 arrived on scene securing a water source while Tower Ladder 15 arrived on scene and entered the building with additional equipment. The crew from Engine 170 encountered a light smoke condition and odor of burning in the common hallway and in the compactor room. The superintendent advised he had shut down the power to the compactor prior to Fire Department arrival and a small electrical fire in the motor was extinguished. Engine 170 crew, Tower Ladder 15 crew and the crew from Greenville Squad 15 metered the effected areas and the floors above for Carbon Monoxide. The situation was deemed under control and all units with the exception of Engine 170 were put back into service. The Engine 170 crew remained on scene until the compactor motor unit cooled down and was deemed safe. Engine 170 went back into service at 2334 HRS.

This incident highlights the need for working smoke detectors and central station monitored alarm systems. The initial cost for this type of system can pay for itself in just one of these types of situations.