Widespread Outage Disrupts Community
Nearly 3,000 Con Edison customers on Staten Island were left in the dark on Sunday evening due to a reported transformer fire. The outage affected multiple neighborhoods, including New Springville, Willowbrook, and Bulls Head, causing inconvenience for residents and raising concerns over safety. As the situation unfolded, many locals stepped outside to observe Con Edison crews working to resolve the issue. The scent of smoke lingered in the air near Rockland Avenue and Keating Place, further heightening the community’s unease.
Residents Caught Off Guard
The unexpected power failure disrupted many evening routines. Local resident Craig Hanft shared his experience with the Advance/SILive.com, explaining that he was in the middle of preparing dinner when his home suddenly went dark. Although the lights briefly flickered back on, they quickly shut off again, leaving him and his neighbors in uncertainty. The transformer involved in the incident appeared to be charred, but no visible flames or sparks were reported as Con Edison workers assessed the damage.
Traffic Disruptions and Emergency Response
Beyond affecting households, the power outage also caused issues with traffic signals in the area. Several streetlights remained completely off, while others flashed red, creating potential hazards for drivers. Despite the inconvenience, Con Edison crews were on the scene, working diligently to restore service. The exact cause of the transformer fire remains under investigation, and officials have yet to provide an estimated timeline for full power restoration. In the meantime, residents have been advised to exercise caution and stay updated through Con Edison’s official channels.
