Full trash chute sets off sprinkler
Park Bethesda was evacuated early Saturday morning after the sprinkler and alarm systems were activated because of an overly compacted garbage chute, said Julie Weber, executive director of Housing and Dining Programs.
"The cause was a resident putting something too large into the chute between floors three and four," Weber said.
When too much pressure is exerted on the chute, a safety measure causes the sprinkler system to go off, Park Bethesda Housing Director Kecia Baker said.
The sprinklers on the south side of the first and fourth floors of the complex were triggered.
The Montgomery County Fire Department and Apartment Assistants responded to the alarm.
Weber said there was "very, very limited personal property damage."
"Capitol Properties [the company AU leases [the building from] extracted water from the carpets and performed all other necessary cleaning," Weber said.
"I want to commend students for evacuating properly and being so understanding," Baker said.
-JOSEPH POPIOLKOWSKI
