New Jersey Power Surge Starts Fires, Routs County Workers

An electrical malfunction that nearly doubled the level of power surging through one floor of the Middlesex County administration building ignited two small fires, forced workers to evacuate and damaged computers and other office equipment.

"Basically, anything that was plugged in on the section of the third floor could have been cooked," County Administrator Walter DeAngelo said.

A ground wire in an electrical control panel came loose and touched a live wire, resulting in more than 200 volts being sent through lines that normally carry 120 volts as the work day was starting, according to New Brunswick Deputy Fire Chief Nicholas Grischuk.

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• Power Surge Starts Fires, Routs County Workers