While calls for alarms, smoke investigations and even an occasional fire are not uncommon at the Meadowbrook Mall, most of the time the runs to the Bridgeport retail hub turn out to be false alarms. On Tuesday, however, such wasn’t the case.

 

A call dispatching city fire units for a smoke investigation at the mall went out at 10:18 a.m. from the Harrison County 911. According to Bridgeport Fire Chief Phil Hart, the call was due to smoke being inside the National Tire and Battery location, which is near the Planet Fitness building.

 

“On the arrival of the fire department there was light smoke in the customer waiting area,” said Hart. “It was quickly determined that the source of the smoke was from a heating unit on the roof.”

 

Once that was determined, Bridgeport utilized a ladder truck to access the roof. The reason for the smoke coming from the unit turned out to be a product of Mother Nature.

 

“The source of the smoke was found to be a bird’s nest that was built in the heating unit that had caught fire and burnt the wiring on the heater motor,” said Hart.

 

The good news went beyond the structure not suffering any damage as the result of a fire. Hart said damage on unit was contained to the wiring and motor.

 

“No other damage was reported,” said Hart.

 

Hart said no one was injured and there were no other damages. The smoke, he said, didn’t do damage other than leaving a smell in the business.

 

As for the situation, Hart said it’s rare. However, he did say there’s something even more rare about the last time the same situation occurred.

 

“It’s a pretty unique situation and not an every day occurrence. What makes this even more unique is the last time we encountered something like this, for some strange reason, it was at the exact same business,” said Hart. “We told them to secure the unit when it’s being repaired to avoid birds getting in there, but there are units just like that all over the city.”

 

As part of the city’s mutual aid agreement, other units responded on the scene. Bridgeport was assisted by fire departments from Spelter, Nutter Fort and Shinnston.

 

Editor's Note: Photos show Bridgeport Fire staff heading to the roof above and city and other local fire personnel are shown below.