Apparent Electrical Malfunction Causes Indoor Explosion at Office Building

Liberty Corner Fire Co. and other nearby companies spent several hours overnight into Monday at an office building off Allen Road after an apparent electrical system malfunction tripped explosions inside, a township fire official said.

Marc Friedman, assistant fire chief for the Liberty Corner Fire Co., said he believed the call first went out Sunday at about 10:30 p.m., after the report of an initial small explosion in the room housing the office building's electrical system at 150 Allen Road.

Friedman said firefighters had responded and "fortunately" were out of the room when a larger explosion took place. The room's sprinklers were tripped, he added.

No one was injured, Friedman said. Friedman said emergency workers were at the scene until about 3 a.m. Friedman said fire companies from Basking Ridge, the Lyons Veterans Administration, Far Hills-Bedminster and the Liberty Corner First Aid Squad also responded.

Friedman said he did not believe the building would be occupied later on Monday. By midday, the parking lot was mostly empty, although some repair service vehicles were at the building.