East Orange fire destroys multiple cars after underground transformer malfunctions
EAST ORANGE, N.J. -- A manhole exploded in East Orange on Friday, releasing flames that destroyed several cars
The chain reaction started with a faulty underground cable.
It was a smoky scene around 8:15 a.m. on the corner of North Munn Avenue and Summit Street.
Officials said a PSE&G transformer malfunctioned underground and the car that was parked over it caught fire, spreading to two others.
Thankfully, the fire was contained to the three cars and no residents in the area lost power.
"You had electrical surges in those surrounding areas. Here you had the fire underneath the cars. So right now, everyone still has power to their home," East Orange Fire Chief Bruce Davis said.
The fire chief said old infrastructure may have played a role in the malfunction.
"I've been here 23 years, this has happened about five or six times in that time. So it's not a common occurrence, but it does happen when you have cities like we have," he said. "It's a great city, but it has some structural things going on, and that's going to occur."
Nearby residents and students at a mosque had to evacuate to a nearby YMCA. No residents were injured, but one police officer suffered minor injuries after being struck by a car while directing traffic.
"The top priority is just to make sure everybody is safe in the community," East Orange Mayor Ted R. Green said.
The mosque has been cleared to reopen, but it will be closed for the remainder of the day. Parents are picking their kids up from the Y.
"Once the fire is extinguished, PSE&G will replace the damaged equipment as quickly, and safely as possible. The cause of the fire is under investigation," PSE&G said in a statement. "We currently have 40 customers without power."
The cause of the malfunction is under investigation.
