Electrical Fire at Mediterranean West Causes Temporary Evacuation

The responded to an electrical fire Friday morning at Mediterranean West on North Avenue. The fire put itself out, but a worker was injured in the incident, according to fire officials.

Fort Lee Fire Chief Keith Sabatino told Patch the fire was the result of renovation work being done in the building's electrical room, where a contractor accidentally bumped a piece of metal up against a bus bar, a major piece of electrical equipment that distributes power throughout the entire building.

The unidentified worker was transported to Hackensack University Medical Center, where he was being treated for minor injuries, fire officials said, telling Patch the man is lucky to be alive. 

"Because of the damage to the power lines, all power to the building is being shut down in order for the repairs to take place," Sabatino said. 

Stephen Ferraro, coordinator of the Fort Lee Office of Emergency Management, said there was a voluntary evacuation of residents to the at 319 Main Street. Ferraro also said he and his team, along with Fort Lee fire inspectors, were going door-to-door to determine if anyone needed evacuation assistance. They were especially concerned about people with any special medical needs and those who were electric-dependent. 

It was unknown when power would be restored to the building, officials said Friday afternoon.