I just had a bell randomly go off in my apartment, yet my new-age fire alarms have not gone off so I'm not sure what this bell is. It won't turn off, there is no button, and it's wired to something but the wire does not vibrate. It looks like maybe pre 1950-40s and metal. The little 2x3 box beneath it and the bell itself are really warm. Is this maybe an old heat detector? I checked the basement which I'm on top of (1st floor apartment in old house) and nothing is on fire or anything and i haven't heard anything from the upstairs tenants. I'm going to call the owner in the morning but was a bit concerned, just in case it might be a gas detector either. The house isn't even warm let alone hot. Any thoughts?
I got a little too anxious unsure if it might be a gas detector so some fire fighters came by and you were right T C, it was a doorbell. Just got messed up randomly somehow :/
I feel bad about calling the fire department out here but safety is always first.

Thank you for the responses!