Transponder Fire Closes Part of U.S. 19

U.S. 19 was closed briefly during the morning commute Thursday so Progress Energy crews could repair a utility pole that was damaged when a transponder caught fire.

Pinellas County Sheriff's Deputies closed a stretch of U.S. 19 near Cypress Pond Rd. between about 6:30 am and 7:10 a.m.

Progress Energy Spokesperson Sterling Ivey said that high winds and rain from a cold front may have caused Thursday morning's transponder fire.

"Approximately 3,200 customers lost power this morning when a few transformers were damaged and an electrical pole split near Innisbrook," said Ivey.

Power was restored to a majority of customers Thursday.

A check of Pinellas County 911 calls on Twitter found that emergency crews throughout Pinellas county responded to at least 20 calls about transformer fires early Thursday morning.

Wednesday afternoon, a small brush fire broke out behind Sutherland Elementary School, after a transformer caught fire and knocked down two power lines. The area was experiencing windy conditions when the fire broke out.

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