Update On Last Week's Transformer Fire In Front Of Island House

Image From Frank Farance

An update to last week's transformer fire in front of Island House. According to RIOC:

On February 10, 2010 at about 10:10 a.m., one of Con Edison's transformers in Vault #2 under the sidewalk in the vicinity of 559 Main Street (Orphan International), caught on fire. Roosevelt Island Public Safety Officers were immediately on scene and placed emergency calls to both FDNY, who responded promptly, and Con Edison whose Emergency Unit responded about 40 minutes after the call was made.

The area from the Trellis Restaurant to the Dry Cleaners was corded off, interrupting both vehicular and pedestrian traffic along Main Street. Upon the arrival of Con Edison's emergency personnel, Mr. Ferraro made a visual inspection of the immediate area and shut off power to the transformer. Vehicular traffic on Main Street and the east sidewalk were restored shortly thereafter. Access to the Newspaper stand was also restored.

It was reported by Con Edison's representative that salting during the winter season infiltrated the grating cover and lodged on the insulation of the cables, eroding them over time, causing conducting activities and subsequently the fire. Upon inspection by the RIOC Engineering Staff, power had been lost to five street lamps along Main Street between Good Shepherd Community Center and 559 Main Street, and along the Westside Channel Road between the Meditation steps to Good Shepherd.

Temporary power was restored to Main Street on that evening, however, a special cable is required for the restoration of power to the west side. Power on the west side should be restored early next week.