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False alarm, good drill 

A fire alarm and a report of smoke and flames billowing from a fourth-floor residence at Harriet Tubman Apartments drew out every piece of firefighting equipment in the city Tuesday night. 

Deputy Fire Chief David P. Orth said that the call came into the department at 6:36 p.m., and because the building is six stories and occupied by senior citizens, the department ordered what is called a “high-rise response.” 

Orth said that an order was issued to evacuate the apartments in the 2870 Adeline St. building because of the age of the tenants, although some were sheltered in place. 

But a search of the building revealed no evidence of fire beyond a lingering smell of burnt food. 

Orth said he suspects a tenant burned dinner, and then was too embarrassed by the response to share the news with firefighters. 

“In the end, it was a good drill,” Orth said. 

At the peak of the action, there were six fire engines and two trucks at the scene, as well as one or two of the city’s three ambulances.