Alpha Fire Company responded to two separate incidents Tuesday night at downtown State College apartment buildings, addressing a carbon monoxide leak at Penn Towers and water damage from a burst pipe at The Maxxen.

Crews were first dispatched around 6:51 p.m. to Penn Towers, located at 255 E. Beaver Ave., after a carbon monoxide detector activated in the building’s basement boiler room. Around the same time, firefighters were also sent to The Maxxen at 131 Hiester Street for an automatic fire alarm tied to water flow.

At Penn Towers, maintenance staff reported both the alarm and the smell of natural gas, which was traced to a malfunctioning furnace in the basement. Firefighters detected elevated carbon monoxide levels in the lower levels and minor readings on several upper floors. Crews shut off gas and power to the unit and ventilated the building to clear the air.

Approximately 20 residents were temporarily displaced while the building was ventilated, but were allowed to return later that night. No overnight displacement was reported. Building management is expected to repair the furnace and restore normal heating.

In a separate incident, a burst pipe caused water to pour from the entrance of The Maxxen, creating minor water damage near the building’s entryway. Fire crews responded to the alarm and assisted with the situation. As of about 9:30 p.m., water flow had slowed significantly, and no major property damage was reported.

Alpha Fire officials noted that fluctuating winter temperatures often contribute to both pipe failures and carbon monoxide risks as heating systems work harder. Residents are encouraged to regularly check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and ensure heating equipment is properly maintained.

No injuries were reported in either incident.