JCP&L estimates power will return to lower South Street in Morristown by 7 am on Friday

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Utility officials investigating an underground fire have told Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty that power may be restored to South Street near the Walgreen’s pharmacy by around 7 a.m. on Friday, June 10.

“Two transformers burned up,” the Mayor said, as firefighters hosed sidewalk grates outside Walgreen’s around 7 pm. A light rain was falling as thunderstorms circled the area.

“When it’s cooled down, an assessment team will get in to assess the damage,” said the Mayor, after conferring with Stan Prater of Jersey Central Power & Light.

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Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty is briefed by Stan Prater of JCP&L near scene of underground fire on South Street. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

No injuries were reported. Power remained out along portions of Dogwood and Maple. The Mayor said that a third-floor cooling center will remain open in town hall, which is running on backup power, in case it’s needed.

Nobody was evacuated from the Blair House apartments across from the smoky incident; power remained on to that complex, the Mayor said.

Full power was restored at the Morristown Medical Center around 7:40 pm, said spokeswoman Pam Garretson.

The Mayor praised Morristown firefighters, police and emergency personnel for a swift response to the underground fire, which started at 3:59 pm, according to Fire Capt. Jon Prachthauser.

“It’s been quite an afternoon,” the Captain said.

In addition to smoke inside, the Walgreen’s store had a garage sprinkler go off, along with a small electrical panel fire about an hour into the incident. That fire was quickly extinguished, the Captain said.

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Morristown Fire Capt. Jon Prachthauser at scene of underground fire. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

He could not speculate whether the pharmacy will be able to reopen on Friday morning. Firefighters assisted pharmacy personnel in removing some supplies from the building, he said. A Walgreen’s employee told MorristownGreen that some vaccines were removed.

Morristown firefighters were assisted by fire companies from Cedar Knolls and Madison, and Morris Township firefighters covered Morristown during the afternoon.

Underground fires and manhole explosions have plagued downtown Morristown for years.  There is still no official explanation for a massive May 2010 basement explosion that caused severe damage to the Morristown & Township Library–or for a 1994 explosion at the library.

A smoky sidewalk grate brought authorities racing to a storefront at Market and Maple in February.

“It begs the question….WHY WHY does this keep happening?” reader Eileen McKenna Reeve asked on MorristownGreen.com’s Facebook page after Thursday’s incident.

Mayor Dougherty said he will be staying in touch with JCP&L.

“Hopefully, this won’t be a trend for us this summer, and this is an isolated incident,” he said.

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Morristown firefighters douse underground utility vault after two transformers 'burned up,' in Mayor's words. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

1 COMMENT

  1. This is like deja vu all over again! Eventually… and it’s only a matter of time, JCP&L will blow up the library again (for a third time!)

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