by Abbott Koloff and Matt Manochio Daily Record Staff Writers
The Morris County Courthouse was closed early Wednesday morning after a backup battery caught fire during a power outage caused by a squirrel.
Morristown Acting Fire Chief Jon Prachthauser said firefighters responded to an 8:58 a.m. report of smoke coming from a third-floor courtroom, and that employees already had been evacuated from the historic building, which was filling with smoke.
Jersey Central Power and Light spokesman Ron Morano said a downed wire caused by a squirrel being electrocuted led to a power outage at 6:30 a.m. for 500 customers, including the courthouse and Morris County administration building. He added that the equipment that caused the smoke at the courthouse had nothing to do with JCP&L.
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