Smoke Prompts Evacuation of Price Chopper in Owego, New York

Dozens of shoppers were ordered to leave a Price Chopper supermarket in Tioga County after light haze and smoke spread throughout the store.

The Owego fire department was sent to the Price Chopper at 42 West Main Street in the village around noon Sunday.

People in the store reported a disturbing odor of what seemed to be something electrical burning.

Store employees quickly moved to evacuate those who were in the building in a shopping plaza across from the Tioga County fairgrounds.

Some people who had selected merchandise were able to pay for their items before leaving the store. A few who had just arrived were advised to leave the supermarket until firefighters could determine the source of the smoke and haze.

Owego fire chief Eric Hawkins said the problem was traced to a freezer unit that had malfunctioned. He said a breaker was used to shut off power to that unit.

Hawkins told WNBF News the Campville fire department assisted at the scene by deploying firefighters to the roof as the situation was being assessed. They were able to rule out any problem with the store's heating and ventilation system.

Firefighters were on the scene for more than an hour. Hawkins said no injuries were reported.

A Price Chopper employee said the store reopened for business after the fire units left the scene.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or call (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.