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.