Transformer fire knocks out power for hundreds in East New York amid extreme cold
Con Edison says crews arrived at the scene, isolated the damaged equipment, and began making repairs as safely as possible. The cause of the outage is still under investigation.
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Hundreds of Brooklyn residents were left without power overnight as bitter cold swept across the borough, following a transformer fire in East New York.
Firefighters were called just after 7:30 p.m. Monday to Shepherd Avenue near Linden Boulevard and Hegeman Avenue for reports of burning wires and a smoking transformer, according to the FDNY. Crews stood by while Con Edison responded to handle the damaged equipment.
Neighbors recorded video from inside their homes showing emergency crews outside — while their apartments sat dark with no power. For many, that meant no lights and no heat as temperatures dropped into the teens.
Con Edison says crews arrived at the scene, isolated the damaged equipment, and began making repairs as safely as possible. The cause of the outage is still under investigation.
As of early Tuesday morning, the Con Edison outage map showed more than 1,500 customers without power across Brooklyn, including about 300 customers near Shepherd Avenue. Utility officials say extreme cold weather may be contributing to outages being reported across the borough.
Con Edison estimates power in the Shepherd Avenue area could be restored by around 7 a.m., though restoration times can change.
Because of the extreme cold, the city says warming centers are open across all five boroughs. Residents without heat or electricity can find locations and hours at https://on.nyc.gov/warmingcenters.
In addition, warming vehicles are stationed at the following locations:
16 Bedford Place
Outside Woodhull Hospital, 760 Broadway
Officials urge anyone without heat or power to use these resources until electricity is restored.
