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Transformer Explodes at Con Edison Plant in East Village

By Patrick Hedlund | March 2, 2011 2:46pm | Updated on March 2, 2011 3:07pm

By Patrick Hedlund and Olivia Scheck

DNAinfo Staff

EAST VILLAGE — A transformer exploded at an East Village power station Wednesday afternoon, setting the facility ablaze and frightening local residents, fire officials and witnesses said.

The blaze started around 2:19 p.m. at the Con Edison substation on East 14th Street and Avenue D, the FDNY said, sending smoke, debris and ash over the adjacent FDR Drive.

"It exploded twice — like a chain reaction," Manuel Feliciano, 43, who was sitting in a park in the Jacob Riis Houses next door to the Con Ed plant when the fire started.

"I said to myself it was another terrorist attack. Another 9/11 or something."

No injuries were immediately reported, fire officials said.

Firefighters responded to a transformer fire at the Con Edison substation in the East Village.
Firefighters responded to a transformer fire at the Con Edison substation in the East Village.
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DNAinfo/Patrick Hedlund

Flames could still be seen on the transformer about an hour after the fire began.

While no power outages occurred, some customers may have noticed their lights flicker, reflecting a dip in voltage, a Con Edison spokesman said.

Eastbound and westbound M14 buses were being detoured to 10th Street as of 3 p.m., MTA officials said. No other service changes had been reported.


Flames can be seen at the Con Edison substation in the East Village.
Flames can be seen at the Con Edison substation in the East Village.
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DNAinfo/Patrick Hedlund
Firefighters responded to a blaze at the Con Ed Station in the East Village.
Firefighters responded to a blaze at the Con Ed Station in the East Village.
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