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Fire Alarm

Fire Alarm Smoke Detector Activation Reported

City of Watertown Fire dispatched engine, truck, and rescue to a fire alarm activation. Smoke detector triggered in apartment 601 hall at a public square building in Watertown.

Closed Apr 21, 2026 u{009797} 6:30 PM City of Watertown Fire
11 Public Square, Watertown, NY 13601 · Near Thurston Street and Court Street

Incident Report

**Watertown Fire Responds to Smoke Detector Alarm at Downtown Building**

City of Watertown Fire units were dispatched at 6:30 p.m. to 11 Public Square in Watertown for a fire alarm activation triggered by a smoke detector in the hallway of apartment 601, according to dispatch radio traffic. Engine 1-2, Truck, and Rescue responded to the multi-story building at the corner of Thurston and Court streets.

Engine 1 arrived by 6:33 p.m. to begin investigating, confirming the alarm panel indicated the apartment 601 hallway, responders reported. Units waited briefly to see if the alarm would clear on its own; Engine 2 was released while Truck remained on scene. At 6:42 p.m., Rescue and Engine 1 encountered a locked firehouse door, troubleshooting with a possibly incorrect key as locks may have been changed. By 6:45 p.m., crews lowered the elevator to allow Truck access to upper floors, including the open penthouse door leading toward the apartment.

The alarm was reset by 6:52 p.m. after crews obtained occupant information, and all units cleared the scene, ending the 21-minute response. No fire or smoke was reported over monitored channels.

Dispatch Audio

Initial 6:30:11 PM

Fire Alarm Smoke Detector Activation Reported

View Transcript
City fire general alarm engine one two, truck and rescue, respond. 11 Public Square. It's gonna be a fire alarm activation showing Apartment 601 Hall smoke detector activation. Repeating city fire general alarm engine one two, truck and rescue, respond. 11 Public Square. It can be a smoke detector activation showing Apartment 601 Hall smoke detector. Cross Street, Thurston Street and Court Street.

City of Watertown Fire

Location

Incident Timeline (6 events)

1
Fire Alarm Smoke Detector Activation Reported 6:30:11 PM

City of Watertown Fire dispatched engine, truck, and rescue to a fire alarm activation. Smoke detector triggered in apartment 601 hall at a public square building in Watertown.

City fire general alarm engine one two, truck and rescue, respond. 11 Public Square. It's gonna be a fire alarm activation showing Apartment 601 Hall smoke detector activation. Repeating city fire general alarm engine one two, truck and rescue, respond. 11 Public Square. It can be a smoke detector activation showing Apartment 601 Hall smoke detector. Cross Street, Thurston Street and Court Street.
2
Engine 1 investigating fire alarm 6:33:16 PM

Engine 1 on scene to investigate.

6:33:16 PM JE 47-1-1 Engine one seventeen, investigate.
6:33:18 PM Unit 1833.
3
Engine 1 queries Apt 601 alarm; Engine 2 returns 6:36:25 PM

Engine 1 and Rescue confirm fire alarm showing Apartment 601 hallway. Units to wait a minute to see if alarm clears. Engine 2 released to return; truck held.

6:36:25 PM Unit Engine one, rescue. Is this showing Apartment 601 Hallway?
6:36:54 PM Unit 2 349.
6:36:57 PM Unit Go ahead.
6:37:04 PM Unit Brickboard, we're gonna give it a minute to see if it'll clear.
6:37:11 PM Unit Three, Steve. I'll hold the truck. Engine two, you can return.
4
Locked door issue at fire alarm 6:42:30 PM

Rescue and Engine 1 troubleshooting locked firehouse door and alarm reset at fire alarm scene. Wrong key suspected; locks possibly changed.

6:42:30 PM Unit Rescue, you want me to try to reset, or you wanna get a Samson truck?
6:42:38 PM Unit Yeah. Was trying to open the firehouse door. It's not the right key.
6:43:04 PM Unit I'm guessing maybe they changed the locks up there because the door is locked. Just what you have and what engine one has.
5
Elevator access to penthouse at fire alarm 6:45:49 PM

Rescue and Engine 1 lowering elevator for Truck to access upper floors. Penthouse door open, directing entry to apartment.

6:45:20 PM Unit Yes. She's gonna have to ask for a combo.
6:45:23 PM Unit Say that again.
6:45:28 PM Unit We'll need to be in. I'm here.
6:45:32 PM Unit Appreciate truck. You copy?
6:45:36 PM Unit Truck, copy.
6:45:49 PM Unit Rescue, engine one. Whoever has the elevator, we're bringing it down for a truck to bring hands up. They're on their way.
6:46:05 PM Unit Rescue one zero. How do you want? Open down here.
6:46:12 PM Unit We got the penthouse open. I think just directing the van.
6:46:16 PM Unit In the penthouse door and out of the apartment, I think that'll work.
6:46:21 PM Unit Copy.
6
Fire alarm reset, units clearing 6:51:58 PM

Alarm systems reset. Occupant information requested before all units clear.

6:51:29 PM Unit 23, roger. You can drive for a reset.
6:51:37 PM Unit 367.
6:51:50 PM Unit That is reset. I'll give it a second. Stay on hold.
6:51:58 PM Unit We're a few systems reset. Can you get the, occupants information, please? And then everybody can clear what's your couple.
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