Dispatchers are receiving multiple reports of power outages in the City.
National Grid has not yet reported the extent of the power outage.
There’s a report of a transformer explosion and fire by Dan’s Tire at City Centre.
There is also a power line down at Watson and Evans.
City Fire’s second platoon requested to the station.
UPDATE 1:06 p.m.: National Grid is reporting at least 13 power outages in the City effecting more than 2,000 customers. The largest area is along Route 5 to the east out past East Pembroke and along Route 98 to the south. ETA for restoration is 3 p.m.
UPDATE (By Billie) 1:25 p.m.: The fourth platoon is called to city fire headquarters. National Grid is on scene at City Centre to repair the transformer.
UPDATE (By Howard) 1:49 p.m.: City PD would like to remind everybody that intersections where signal lights are out should be treated like a four-way stop. The Richmond Memorial Library is closed because of the power outage. It will reopen at 5 p.m. if power is restored.
UPDATE (By Billie) 3:08: Currently no power outages are reported in the city, according to National Grid. There are still two small outages in Alexander, and one in Pavilion.
UPDATE from National Grid 3:16 p.m.:
National Grid spokesman David Bertola replied to The Batavian's email asking what cause the outage: "At around 1:50 p.m. today, an animal came into contact with a feeder line at one of our stations, which caused around 5,000 customers to be without power. Once the site was cleared and repairs made, customers’ power was restored in stages. I was told that everyone’s power (in the city) was restored at around 2:35 p.m."
So an "animal" came into
So an "animal" came into contact with a feeder line, huh? I can't imagine it being anything other than a squirrel myself, and if that's the case a squirrel is not an "animal". Squirrels are rodents, and rodents are "mammals".
For the record, squirrels are one of the largest causes of power disruptions and they're also considered a bigger threat to power grids than terrorists!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_disruptions_caused_by_squirrels
Umm, Ed.... mammals are
Umm, Ed.... mammals are animals.
For example, dogs are also mammals, and are also classed as animals.
Ditto humans.
If a squirrel came in contact
If a squirrel came in contact with a feeder line then there is most likely no evidence of it.