Town Hall flunks its own sewer backflow testing – leads to fire call

The Front Royal Town Government got a taste of its own smoke Friday morning, August 28, when the Town’s sewer system testing backed smoke up out of Town Hall bathrooms leading to a call to County Fire & Rescue and response by Company 1 to a possible fire at the seat of the Town’s municipal government.

Warren County Emergency Services Chief Richard Mabie confirmed the call reported to Royal Examiner by a staffer on the way to work between 6 and 6:30 a.m. (nice early-bird work, Mark).

Uh oh, a fire call at Front Royal Town Hall shortly after 6 a.m. Friday morning. Below, Okay, if firefighters are leaving their equipment outside it must not be too bad inside. Royal Examiner Photos by Mark Williams

“You are right, they responded to Town Hall this morning for smoke in the building. Investigation revealed that the Sewer Department was smoke testing the sewers. Units ventilated the building,” Chief Mabie told Royal Examiner.

The chief said such smoke “alarm” incidents have been on the rise as the Town proceeds with its sewer intake and outflow testing.

There’s a clue – smoke out of a nearby E. Main St. sewer cover.

“Overall, in the past several weeks we have responded to a dozen calls for this issue, including three today,” Chief Mabie said on Friday afternoon, observing, “The smoke is entering buildings and houses through storm drains in basements, etc. These drains are made to have water in them to keep this smoke and other sewer odors out of the structures. Over time, the drain’s water dries up, opening the drain to this smoke as well as sewer odors. I’m certainly not saying don’t call if you have smoke. If you aren’t sure, please call.”

As the ever-wise “they” say – “Better safe than sorry.”

Guess Town Hall’s early-morning staff didn’t get the Town heads up on the downtown area sewer testing slated for Friday.

Interim Town Manager Matt Tederick, light shirt, and cap, talks with staff as FRPD officer stand by as the smoke coming from Town Hall bathrooms is determined to be from the Town’s own sewer system testing.

First responder in doorway reports on smoke venting work inside after it is discovered Town Hall has the same sewer backflow issues other town buildings may be experiencing.