Con Edison: Insulator Failure Caused Substation Explosion

An electrical component called a porcelain insulator has been named as the cause of on Manville Road, according to Con Edison Spokesman Chris Olert.

"It was an electrical component in the back of the station," he explained. "It was one of the three phases in a transmission line that feeds the transformers."

The failure led to a "flash to the ground that ignited some brush along the station," according to Olert, which caused the brush fire that was put out.

No one was injured and no customers lost electrical service as a result of the incident.

"The good news is, within the last year, we had a drill at this location with the fire departments, so they knew what to expect when they came to the station."

There was also "a few gallons" of oil at the scene, but "it did not spill out of the site," Olert added.

He said officials estimate it will be between seven and 10 days before the line is completely fixed.