Transformer fire and power outage disrupt Downtown Brooklyn

According to the FDNY, the incident began when the contractor hit a high-voltage feeder line, sparking a transformer fire at 365 Bridge St.

Aurora Fowlkes

Aug 23, 2025, 10:45 PM

Updated 2 hr ago

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Nearly 230 residents in Downtown Brooklyn were left without power Saturday morning after a high-voltage wire was accidentally struck by a contractor, causing widespread outages and confusion throughout the neighborhood.
City crews flooded the scene early in the morning, drilling into the street and working urgently to restore power. According to the FDNY, the incident began when the contractor hit a high-voltage feeder line, sparking a transformer fire at 365 Bridge St. The fire prompted a major emergency response, with 12 FDNY units and 60 firefighters rushing in to contain the situation.
One person was taken to Brooklyn Hospital Center for treatment. Meanwhile, residents inside the affected building reported difficulty getting out, as the power outage knocked multiple elevators out of service.
“We have four elevators that serve it. Three of them went out, and then the one that was in service — the buttons weren’t working. It was just a nightmare,” said Davon Barrett, a local resident.
FDNY officials tell News 12 that they successfully got the "incident under control" just before 11 a.m. Con Edison confirmed with News 12 that power has been fully restored Saturday evening at 5 p.m. Repair crews remained on site into the evening and are expected to clear out following infrastructure repairs.