Cambridge, Mass. – A transformer explosion in the Cambridgeport neighborhood Tuesday afternoon left more than 1,700 households without electricity, creating widespread disruptions. The incident, which occurred at around 3:26 p.m., prompted an immediate response from local emergency services.
Fire crews from the Cambridge Fire Department were dispatched to the intersection of Pearl and Putnam streets where they found the transformer ablaze. The fire severely damaged the transformer, along with the utility pole and all attached wiring, including phone, electrical, and cable lines, detailed Cambridge spokesperson Jeremy Warnick.
Warnick emphasized the extent of the damage could mean a prolonged power outage for certain areas. “There are blocks in the area that will be without power for an extended period of time,” he stated, highlighting the inconvenience to residents and local businesses affected by the outage.
The utility company Eversource quickly responded to the outage, posting on their map that power restoration was tentatively scheduled for 5:15 p.m. the same day. The company has been coordinating with local authorities to manage traffic disruptions and ensure public safety as repairs commence.
Local officials have advised residents to stay clear of the affected area due to safety hazards presented by loose and potentially live wires. The Cambridge Police Department is aiding in these efforts by rerouting traffic and providing updates through their social media channels.
As the community awaits the return of electrical power, the incident raises questions about the maintenance and resilience of aging city infrastructure. It serves as a potential catalyst for discussions on improving utility facilities to prevent such occurrences in the future.
While city engineers assess the full impact of the damage to plan out necessary repairs, community members have opened local centers to assist those needing access to power and other resources. The swift response of emergency teams and utility services highlights the city’s preparedness for unexpected infrastructure failures.
Efforts to fully restore power and allay the complications from the outage continue into the evening, with local authorities promising to keep the public informed and well-prepared during the recovery process.