Transformer Explosion at Astoria Con Ed Plant Lights Up New York City

Taken from 38th Street and 20th Avenue (Photo: Jamie-Faye Bean)

Dec. 27, 2018 By Meghan Sackman

Authorities are investigating a transformer explosion at a Con Edison plant in Astoria that took place at around 9:15 p.m. on Thursday.

Residents in Queens and Long Island– and even as far away as New Jersey–saw a teal blue color light up the night sky due to an electrical surge at the plant, with many experiencing power outages as a result.

According to the NYPD, the explosion–and fire–has since been placed under control at the 20th Avenue Con Edison substation, and the 114th Precinct called on people to stay away from 20th Avenue and 31st Street.

There has been no reported damage to nearby homes, and no injuries have been reported.

The transformer explosion, which caused a transmission dip in the area, even forced LaGuardia Airport to temporarily shut down. Service on the 7 line also temporarily halted due to the explosion, which caused power to be cut between Main St and Mets-Willets Point.

The number of power outages continued to rise while authorities responded to the explosion, with New York Emergency Management asking residents to call 911 if they experience a full power outage.

New York officials including Mayor de Blasio and Astoria Council Member Costa Constantinides took to twitter to update citizens.

“There are no air quality concerns for Astoria following the ConEd transformer blast, according to several agencies at the scene,” wrote Constantinides.

By around 11:20 p.m., power lines serving the area were back in service, Con Edison said.

The cause of the transformer explosion, police said, was determined to be a non-suspicious equipment malfunction, police said.