April 02--RIDGEWOOD -- Firefighters evacuated a five-story building at 45 North Broad St. Sunday following reports of a sulfuric acid odor coming from the basement.
Tenants of the commercial and office building, known as The Lincoln Building, were kept out for two hours as the Bergen County Hazardous Materials unit investigated. Fire and police officials said they did not know how many people were in the building at the time of evacuation.
Six people were medically evaluated on the scene, but no one required additional medical treatment. The Ridgewood Fire Department responded to the scene at about 3 p.m. and swept thorough the building wearing air packs to make sure everyone was out, said fire Capt. Robert Kozielski. He said carbon monoxide levels were elevated in the building.
The fire crews ventilated the building with power fans until Hazmat investigators determined it was safe to occupy, Kozielski said.
The leak was caused by a malfunctioning battery in the basement. Batteries and other equipment are stored in the basement to support cellphone towers located at the downtown building.
The northbound side of North Broad Street was shut during the evacuation to accommodate emergency vehicles, said Ridgewood police Lt. David McDermott.
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