A Transformer Fire in Beachwood Knocked Out Power to Hundreds of People
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January 17, 2022A Transformer Fire in Beachwood Knocked Out Power to Hundreds of People
Photo Credit: Beachwood Volunteer Fire Company
On Monday Morning, Crews Were Working to Fix the Transformers and Pole. Birch Street near Beachwood Boulevard Should be Avoided by Motorists
Pole Fire/ Power Outage in Beachwood, NJ - According to Beachwood Volunteer Fire Company, at approximately 1:30 AM the fire department responded to the report of a transformer fire on Birch near Beachwood Blvd in Beachwood, New Jersey.
They arrived to find the transformer on fire, with arcing and burning cables. JCP&L was contacted and asked to turn off the electricity so that the fire could be put out. Despite being informed that arcing wires and fire were burning through the pole and that the transformers were likely to fall, JCP&L crews were unavailable and did not react for nearly 4 hours. JCP&L was involved in a number of other instances across the county.
Photo Credit: Beachwood Volunteer Fire Department
In the event that power lines were downed and a safe zone was formed, residents were encouraged to remain inside their homes. At 515 a.m., the top piece of the pole burned through and collapsed, catching fire and bringing the transformers to the ground.
Shortly after the pole toppled, JCP&L arrived. BFD employees constructed berms around the storm drains to keep the transformer oil out of the storm drains (and eventually our river). Berkeley Hazardous Materials and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection provided guidance. The fire in the street was put out after the power was turned off. There were no injuries or property damage. The area has been cordoned off while the power company works to restore power.
