Crime & Safety

Potential Pollution Problem Averted at Transformer Fire in Hillburn

Officials let it burn itself out to prevent a toxic mix of water, foam and oil from contaminating the water supply.

A transformer fire in Hillburn sent dark oily smoke high into the sky in Rockland County Friday.

The fire on Torne Valley Road could have been an environmental nightmare. The substation is right next to the Torne Brook, which flows into the Ramapo River, which is a source of local drinking water according to The Journal News.

Rockland County Fire Coordinator Gordon Wren told TJN that contamination would have affected millions of people in the county and part of northern New Jersey.

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Read the entire article on lohud.com.

PHOTO: Fire at Con Ed Sub Station in Hillburn NY/ submitted by:James Santorini & Kelsey Kogler/via Orange and Rockland County Fire

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