Fire alarm triggers false alert in apartment building, Evanston IL

Fire & Arson

Reported: 11/19/2025 03:49 AM

Near W Howard St, Evanston, IL 60202

A fire alarm went off in a three-story apartment building near Howard Street. A resident on the third floor heard the alarm but did not see any smoke or flames. Emergency responders determined the alarm was caused by a battery alert in a nearby apartment and not an actual fire.

Audio|Source: Evanston Fire

02:24

Transcript:

00:00

AFA for engine 24, tower 22, battalion 21, 1413 Howard, fire alarm for the whole building going off, no flames or smoke. AFA, engine 24, tower 22, battalion 21, 1413 Howard. Caller on the third floor reports the building fire alarm going off, no flames or smoke scene, time is 551.

00:29

Dispash from 24?

00:32

24.

00:33

Did you guys get something from the alarm company or is this just a caller from the third floor?

00:40

Just a caller from the third floor.

00:44

Okay, receipt, thank you.

00:54

Squad 21 from dispatch.

00:58

Squad 21. For information,

01:01

the caller is barely able to talk.

01:03

She did say the door should be unlocked.

01:06

Said she was feeling very dizzy and now I have an open line.

01:09

She's not responding.

01:10

I'm not sure if she fainted.

01:13

All right, we're on two.

01:14

Thank you.

01:16

Received.

01:31

Engine 24 is off, 1413 on Howard.

01:34

Got a three-story apartment building, ordinary.

01:36

Nothing shown at this time, no evacuation in progress, no strobes.

01:40

This is going to be command.

01:41

We're facing westbound on Howard.

01:45

Received engine 24 facing westbound, nothing showing, no evacuation.

01:56

Dispatcham command.

01:59

Command.

02:02

Fire alarm in the building is not going off.

02:04

You can just detail this for us.

02:06

It sounds like it's a battery chirp in the neighbor's apartment again.

02:12

Mr. Steve, it's going to be detail for engine 24, tower 22, battalion 21 as regards.

02:20

Go ahead to what's back in service.

02:24

Received.

Disclaimer:
This transcript was automatically generated and may contain inaccuracies. Please verify the information independently.

Location mentioned:

Near W Howard St, Evanston, IL 60202

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