Power surge leads to a minor explosion and evacuation of The Eaton Center
NORWICH – An minor explosion and fire took place in The Eaton Center’s basement Thursday morning at around 9:50.
Chenango County Fire Coordinator Matthew L. Beckwith said emergency crews were called after a transformer in the building’s basement exploded and caught fire. The office building’s fire alarms activated and all employees were evacuated to the nearby Morrisville State College Norwich Campus. No injuries were reported.
Norwich Fire Chief Tracy Chawgo said plumbers hired by the center were working in the area of the transformer, which he described as “an electrical generator the size of a fire truck,” when the accident occurred.
He said one of the plumber’s tools, a plumbing snake, was discovered inside the transformer. Chawgo said the metal device caused an electrical arc to shoot from the 4,800 volt transformer, followed by a burst of flame.
Norwich Code Enforcement Officer Jason Lawrence said the plumbing contractors were clearing the drains of the 100-year-old plus building, with one of the older drains apparently connecting too close to the electrical equipment.
“It’s a building built about a hundred years ago and there’s no telling how some things may have been arranged,” said Lawrence, adding the layout of the antiquated drainage system was probably more at fault for the accident than other factors.
The building was closed for several hours following the incident and the power was cut off as emergency crews worked to clear fumes and perform safety checks.
The building was put back into service at around 11 a.m. and power was restored with aid from NYSEG. Chawgo said damage to the facility was minimal and that the equipment appeared to be functioning normally.
Within minutes of receiving the 911 call, the Norwich Fire Department deployed several of its fire trucks to the scene and received assistance the Oxford Fire Department, the Chenango County Bureau of Fire, the Norwich Police Department and the Norwich Code Enforcement Office.
Chenango County Fire Coordinator Matthew L. Beckwith said emergency crews were called after a transformer in the building’s basement exploded and caught fire. The office building’s fire alarms activated and all employees were evacuated to the nearby Morrisville State College Norwich Campus. No injuries were reported.
Norwich Fire Chief Tracy Chawgo said plumbers hired by the center were working in the area of the transformer, which he described as “an electrical generator the size of a fire truck,” when the accident occurred.
He said one of the plumber’s tools, a plumbing snake, was discovered inside the transformer. Chawgo said the metal device caused an electrical arc to shoot from the 4,800 volt transformer, followed by a burst of flame.
Norwich Code Enforcement Officer Jason Lawrence said the plumbing contractors were clearing the drains of the 100-year-old plus building, with one of the older drains apparently connecting too close to the electrical equipment.
“It’s a building built about a hundred years ago and there’s no telling how some things may have been arranged,” said Lawrence, adding the layout of the antiquated drainage system was probably more at fault for the accident than other factors.
The building was closed for several hours following the incident and the power was cut off as emergency crews worked to clear fumes and perform safety checks.
The building was put back into service at around 11 a.m. and power was restored with aid from NYSEG. Chawgo said damage to the facility was minimal and that the equipment appeared to be functioning normally.
Within minutes of receiving the 911 call, the Norwich Fire Department deployed several of its fire trucks to the scene and received assistance the Oxford Fire Department, the Chenango County Bureau of Fire, the Norwich Police Department and the Norwich Code Enforcement Office.
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