Roosevelt Island Resident Asks What Was That Loud Noise Last Night Heard And Felt From Across East River In Long Island City Near Big Allis Ravenswood Power Plant?

A Roosevelt Island resident asked this morning:

Can anyone comment on the loud explosion and bright light that happened at the power plant across the river last night? Anyone that lives on the far East side of the island near the plant would have heard/seen/felt it but the news is not covering!

Image From Google Maps

I asked on Roosevelt Islander Facebook Page if others heard similar noise.

Responses include:

Yes I heard it and my lights flickered! I thought it was about to be a Blackout!

and:

I saw/heard that and thought it must be lightning, which seemed odd since it didn't seem to be storming otherwise...

and:

heard it too

and:

I heard it looked out, looked over to see if there was an explosion in the energy plant, but nothing! What happened, not first time that has happened.

In response to my inquiry, Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety Department Chief Jack McManus replied:

There was a loud noise, not an explosion, last night that we believe came from a garbage truck that dropped a container. It quite possibly could have come from the Ravenswood plant however none of our officers witnessed that and a check of our logs shows no calls from any residents. We checked the sea walls on the east side of the Island and everything appeared to be in order.

I asked a Transcanada representative if the noise came from the Big Allis Ravenswood Power Plant across the East River. The Transcanada rep answered:

The issue is with Con Edison property and equipment. TransCanada's property and equipment were not involved or affected.

I asked Con Ed for comment. No response yet but will update when more information available.

UPDATE 8:10 PM - According to a Con Ed spokesperson:

... our Vernon Substation just across the water in Queens had an incident that had the FDNY response. It was smokey and some damage to the substation. But no one was hurt, no loss of power and no evacuations. It occurred at about the same time.

Seems reasonable to think that is what folks on RI heard and experienced.