Statue Of Liberty Evacuated For Smoke

An automatic smoke/fire alarm was activated within the base of the Statue of Liberty at approximately 1:15pmEST yesterday. Visitors within the museum, pedestal, and the Statue were evacuated by U.S. Park Police (USPP) and National Park Service personnel within five minutes of the alarm sounding. No injuries were reported as a result of the evacuation.

The Statue of Liberty is located on a 12 acre island in New York Harbor.
The Statue of Liberty is located on a 12 acre island in New York Harbor.

A small amount of smoke and the odor of oil as well as the odor of an overheated component was noticed by the USPP officers who initially investigated the alarm, which originated in the elevator room at the Statue of Liberty.

Members of the New York Fire Department arrived at the Liberty Island shortly thereafter, but by the time they arrived, the small amount of smoke had dissipated. Lack of smoke upon his arrival at the elevator room, prompted the park’s chief of maintenance to suspect a faulty smoke head and he ordered it replaced.

Once the investigation was finished and the alarm system was reset, the monument was re-opened to the public at approximately 2:35 p.m. The remainder of Liberty Island, including the visitor center, restaurant and gift shop, remained open to the public throughout the incident.

On July 16, the FDNY responded to smoke at the Statue of Liberty caused by an overheated elevator motor. The elevator at the Statue has been removed from service at this time.