By Michael N. Ciampo
Responding to an electriCAL emergency can always be an intriguing call. Perhaps we might find a water leak from an apartment on the floor above dripping into a fuse panel and causing smoke and sparking conditions, a light haze of smoke in a commercial occupancy from a burned-out ballast, or a prong of a plug broken off in a wall outlet from someone pulling on the electrical cord. Responding to an electrical emergency always involves that distinctive taste, smell, and odor, but finding its source might take time.
On this call we walked into a party, which is always difficult, especially with the loud noise and trying to decipher who is telling you the right information. Luckily, a tenant took charge and led us through the living room to the back bedroom. But first, one member checked the apartment's fuse panel for any blown fuses or tripped circuits. (Be prepared that many times the panels are not marked as to which rooms they control.) Glancing around the party, we saw the large flat-screen television on, a homemade DJ stage with music playing, and a spinning light on the ceiling and wondered which one could be the reason for the lingering electrical odor. As we entered the back bedroom, the smell became stronger, and we heard crying and weren't sure if it was coming from the large flat screen in the room or a child.
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